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19th February 2025
 
THE HOT STORY
Samsung protests escalate as talks loom
Labour unrest at Samsung Electronics' manufacturing facility in Chennai has intensified, with the Centre for Indian Trade Unions (CITU) planning further protests if negotiations on Wednesday fail. E Muthukumar, president of the employees union, highlighted that the company is allegedly violating the Factories Act by employing contract workers. Samsung maintains that it complies with all laws, stating: “A section of our workers is engaged in an illegal strike . . . while most of our dedicated workers continue to ensure that production remains uninterrupted." Additionally, protests have escalated at SH Electronics, a Samsung vendor, over the dismissal of around 90 workers.
LEGAL
Protesters demand job freedom in Korea
On October 6, 2024, foreign English teachers in Korea rallied at Seoul Station Square, demanding the right to change jobs without needing their employers' permission. The protest highlighted the challenges faced by approximately 13,000 foreign instructors, particularly the requirement for a letter of release (LOR) to switch jobs. Park Jeong-jik, the Korean manager of the union's Seoul branch, described the situation as "modern-day slavery," emphasising the difficulties foreign workers encounter in voicing concerns about workplace issues. While some argue that the LOR system is essential for maintaining immigration order, others, like Allison Hall, a teacher from Missouri, have expressed frustration over the extortionate costs associated with obtaining an LOR. The Ministry of Justice defended the LOR, stating it protects the trust between employers and employees, but acknowledged that workers can change jobs without it under certain conditions.
Foreign workers face hurdles in Vietnam
Challenges have emerged regarding regulations for foreign workers in Vietnam, particularly concerning labour, insurance, and taxes. By the end of 2023, approximately 136,800 foreign workers were reported in the country, as stated by the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs. Decree No. 152/2020/ND-CP outlines that foreign workers transferred within an enterprise must have been employed for at least 12 months prior to their transfer. However, the narrow definition of internal transfers under this decree does not accommodate transfers among subsidiaries within the same group, leading to additional costs for Vietnamese enterprises.
STRATEGY
Plant to close as GM China restructuring continues
General Motors' restructuring in China will see it close down a plant this month in the country's northeastern city of Shenyang. Chief executive Mary Barra said the firm would focus on Cadillac, Buick and its premium import business in order to secure its future in the world's largest car market, explaining: "Those are vehicles that are very desirable for certain Chinese consumers, that we can bring in and have a very successful business."
TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT
Age is just a number
At Dododots, a Malaysian skincare start-up, 62-year-old Leslie Mah and 55-year-old Loh Kit Lan have transitioned from “senior interns” to full-time employees after a year of service. Co-founder Ethan Wong shared their success on LinkedIn, drawing comparisons to the film The Intern. Mah, now a warehouse manager, expressed his surprise at the youthful energy of the team, stating, “It’s like a family here, we care for each other.” Both Mah and Loh have embraced their roles, with Mah managing warehouse operations and Loh excelling in paperwork. Wong noted their invaluable contributions, highlighting Loh's keen eye for detail that saved the company from a poor business deal. Their story challenges age-related biases in the workplace, showcasing that experience and enthusiasm can coexist harmoniously.
Finance firms in Singapore reshape talent strategies
In response to ongoing talent shortages, banks in Singapore are redefining their operating models and focusing on internal hiring and reskilling. Strategies include offering lower pay for reduced workloads and facilitating lateral moves within organisations. Despite recent layoffs, the financial services sector saw a slight employment increase of 0.1% in 2024, with larger banks exceeding 2% growth. Nesan Govender from Accenture noted that financial institutions are increasingly looking inward for talent, driven by economic uncertainty and cost considerations. The average cost saving for developing talent internally is estimated at 15-20% compared to external hiring. 
TECHNOLOGY
Goldman Sachs predicts AI growth in China
Goldman Sachs has indicated that artificial intelligence (AI) could provide a modest boost to China's economy, projecting an increase in growth by 0.2 to 0.3 percentage points by 2030. The investment bank noted that the emergence of DeepSeek as a competitive player in the AI field suggests a quicker adoption of AI technologies in China. However, it also warned that the integration of AI could disrupt the job market, particularly in sectors like agriculture and manufacturing, which employ a significant portion of the workforce.
HEALTH & WELLBEING
Health insurance fees set to rise for migrant workers in Thailand
Thailand is planning to raise health insurance fees for migrant workers to align them with the universal health coverage available to Thai citizens. The initiative aims to enhance access to healthcare for migrants, ensuring they receive similar benefits. The proposal reflects a commitment to improving health equity, as the government seeks to bridge the gap between migrant and citizen healthcare services.
CORPORATE
Honda open to re-entering Nissan talks if Japanese rival’s chief Makoto Uchida leaves
Honda is willing to resume takeover talks to create the world’s fourth-biggest car producer if Nissan’s chief executive Makoto Uchida steps down, according to people with knowledge of the deliberations.
INTERNATIONAL
UK HR chiefs push back on DEI shift
At a recent dinner for HR leaders from major UK companies, there was a palpable sense of anger regarding President Donald Trump's actions against diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the US, writes the Sunday Telegraph's Lucy Burton. Attendees expressed their strong resolve, with one saying: "We need to take a stand against this." While US firms are retracting their DEI initiatives, British HR chiefs are committed to maintaining their diversity targets. Tensions are rising between US and UK branches of global companies, with some UK managers opting to rebrand DEI efforts as "culture and inclusion" to continue their work. Heeral Gudka, a consultant on diversity strategies, noted that the current climate provides boards with "a gold-plated reason" to cut DEI costs. Despite the challenges, many UK executives are determined to make independent decisions regarding DEI, regardless of external pressures.
Laid-off Meta staff say they were blindsided after approved leave
Fortune reports that some former Meta staff in the US say the company laid them off while they were taking approved leave. Their complaints come in the wake of the company’s latest cuts as the ex-employees voiced their displeasure on popular forum Blind. “[I] consistently exceeded expectations multiple years, had a baby in 2024, got laid off,” wrote one former Meta employee in response to a co-worker’s comment about “dozens of people with pristine history and exceeds rating that took parental or medical leave and got laid off.” Fortune observes that the culture at Meta was once synonymous with former chief operating officer Sheryl Sandberg's “lean in” feminism; now, chief executive Mark Zuckerberg says companies need more “masculine energy.”
OTHER
Amazon launches 10-minute delivery to users in select Bengaluru regions
Amazon has started rolling out its 10-minute delivery service, Amazon Now, in a few Bengaluru localities, moving beyond an employee-only pilot, with more areas to be added over the coming weeks. Currently, Amazon is largely selling grocery and other daily essentials. Amazon is engaging with brands in beauty, home, and kitchen categories as part of the scale-up plan. "We are in talks to onboard with them [Amazon] and should be live by March-April after they stabilise grocery and daily essentials. Beauty and home are the next focus areas", said a senior executive of a brand, which also sells on other quick commerce platforms.
 


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