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APAC Edition
7th March 2025
 
THE HOT STORY
Ping An enhances hiring experience with AI
Ping An Insurance has launched its 2025 Spring Campus Recruitment initiative, offering over 2,000 positions through its Ping An Talent recruitment system. This platform uses artificial intelligence (AI) for job matching, interviews, and salary negotiations, enhancing the recruitment experience for campus recruits. The system employs natural language processing and machine learning to efficiently match students with suitable roles, significantly reducing HR workload. The AI interviewer allows candidates to engage flexibly, assessing their abilities through various metrics. Additionally, the AI salary negotiation feature aids recruits in understanding salary details based on their backgrounds.
WORKFORCE
China job creation target set
China is determined to maintain its urban jobless rate at around 5.5% this year while aiming to create over 12m new urban jobs by 2025, according to Premier Li Qiang's report to the National People's Congress. The government is focused on preventing a large-scale relapse into poverty, especially among migrant workers, as economic challenges persist. Li emphasised that employment is the "cornerstone of people's livelihood" and reiterated the commitment to an employment-first strategy. Xiong Wansheng, a rural-development expert, highlighted the serious unemployment issues faced by migrant workers, particularly those nearing retirement without pensions. Liu Zhiqin from Renmin University warned that the weakening of private enterprises could significantly impact job creation, saying: "Private enterprises, as the largest magnet to jobseekers, are weakening."
Japanese unions make largest wage hike demands in over 30 years
Labour unions in Japan are demanding the largest salary increase in over three decades, with a survey by union umbrella group Rengo finding that members were requesting an average rise of 6.09% for this year. This comes after employers in the country agreed to an average 5.1% increase last year, after implementing a 3.5% rise in 2023. Unions with under 300 members are seeking an average increase of 6.57%.
STRATEGY
Commodity trader to add hundreds of at Indian global centres
Some 500 jobs will be created at commodity trader Cargill's Indian global capability centres in the next few years, the firm's chief information and digital officer Jennifer Hartsock has said. This comes after the company announced late last year that it would reduce its global workforce by 5%, cutting 8,000 jobs in supply chain, inventory controls and other areas. However, the recent announcement is not connected to the firm's global restructuring, it said.
HEALTH & SAFETY
NSW taskforce tackles deadly silica dust
The New South Wales (NSW) government has established a new expert taskforce to address health risks associated with silica exposure for workers in tunnelling projects. Premier Chris Minns emphasised the seriousness of the issue, saying: "The way in which people lose their lives through these dust diseases is horrific." The taskforce will include representatives from government, medical, industry, and unions to enhance compliance and health monitoring. Concerns have been raised about the lack of transparency regarding past exposures, with reports indicating that thousands of workers have been exposed to high levels of silica dust for years. Occupational physician David Allen highlighted the long-term health implications, noting that "the damage is done by the time they present clinically." Experts warn that the full extent of the health impacts may take decades to manifest, stressing the urgent need for effective monitoring and protective measures.
INVESTMENT
Malaysia announces semiconductors investment
Malaysia is set to invest $250m over the next decade to acquire intellectual property from UK semiconductor firm Arm Holdings, with the aim of enhancing its position in the tech value chain beyond mere manufacturing. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim will sign the deal with Arm chief executive Rene Haas, marking a shift towards developing advanced chip technology locally. The initiative is expected to create 10,000 skilled jobs in integrated circuit design, with each of the seven compute subsystems licenses potentially generating up to $30bn annually. Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli said: “We don't want factories any more; we want IPs,” highlighting the country's ambition to design and produce its own chips. This move is seen as essential for Malaysia's relevance in the semiconductor sector, especially as it seeks to compete with global players.
RETENTION
Promote employees before they leave
Drawing on turnover data for over 11,000 managers from 2018 to 2023, a team of researchers advise in the Harvard Business Review that to retain employees, companies should promote them before the job market heats up. The researchers - Chase Thiel, Anthony C. Klotz, Jay H. Hardy III, Carter Gibson and Andrew Barsa - note that employees who receive internal promotions are 47% less likely to quit than those hired externally, as promotions signal job security and organisational support. They add that companies should prioritise promoting from within, especially when external hiring seems more attractive, as it fosters loyalty and long-term commitment. Additionally, they argue that a consistent promotion-first approach helps businesses develop a resilient workforce capable of navigating labour market fluctuations. The strategy ultimately improves retention, mitigates turnover risks, and enhances overall organisational stability, the researchers conclude.
WORKPLACE
Workers are going public about bad bosses
Research shows a growing willingness among staff to call out what they regard as unfair treatment, with employees frustrated with complaints processes joining forces and taking grievances to social media.
INTERNATIONAL
Many Israelis unprepared for employment crisis
The labour market in Israel faces significant challenges, according to Be'Atzmi's Employment Resilience Index. The study indicates that 70% of Israelis feel unprepared for an employment crisis, with 74% of young people under 34 constantly seeking new jobs even when employed, reflecting a "lack of security and sense of dissatisfaction." The overall resilience score stands at a low 5.7 out of 10, with 59% of respondents fearing they won't find work at their current level. Liat Brosh, chief executive of Be'Atzmi, said: "The last decade has been characterised by profound changes that have dramatically affected the labour market in Israel and around the world . . . Global trends, such as globalisation and accelerated digitisation, are changing the rules of the game and requiring both employees and employers to adapt quickly. Technological developments such as artificial intelligence and changes in employment models are changing many professions and leading to a constant demand for learning new skills." The report highlights the need for both public and private sectors to support employees in adapting to these changes.
Brits increasingly think women's equality now discriminates against men
According to a survey conducted by Ipsos UK and the Global Institute for Women's Leadership at King's College London, 42% of adults in Great Britain believe that efforts to promote women's equality have gone too far, leading to discrimination against men. The survey, which included responses from 30 countries, found that 51% of men and 33% of women in Great Britain shared this sentiment. Kelly Beaver, Ipsos chief executive, noted that the “battle of the sexes” is particularly pronounced among Gen Z, with 57% of young men feeling that gender equality discriminates against them.
OTHER
CP Foods faces class action lawsuit
A Thai court has accepted a class action lawsuit against CP Foods for environmental damage caused by the introduction of the invasive blackchin tilapia. The fish, native to West Africa, has disrupted local ecosystems and the livelihoods of fishermen in Samut Songkhram, a province known for its fishing industry. The plaintiffs, represented by lawyer Sittiporn Lelanapasak, are seeking 2.4bn baht ($70.9m) in damages, alleging that CP Foods' actions led to the ecological crisis. CP Foods has denied the allegations, claiming: "The company's operations are not the source of the issues raised." The acceptance of the lawsuit may encourage further legal actions from other affected farmers.
 


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