The latest business Intelligence for HR professionals and people managers everywhere
Sign UpOnline Version
APAC Edition
21st March 2025
 
THE HOT STORY
The foreigners who face discrimination in Korea
A survey by Statistics Korea reveals that 17.4% of foreigners in Korea have faced discrimination, with the rate climbing to 27.7% among international students. The survey, conducted in May 2024, included 20,000 foreigners and 5,000 naturalised citizens. Professional workers on E-7 visas reported a 23.7% discrimination rate, while 22.3% of marriage immigrants experienced similar issues. The primary reason cited for discrimination was the respondents' country of origin, although non-professional workers attributed it to their Korean language skills. Of those surveyed, 64.7% were employed, with 51.2% earning between 2m and 3m won monthly.
WORKFORCE
China sets job creation target
China is determined to maintain its urban jobless rate at around 5.5% this year while preventing a significant relapse into poverty, according to Premier Li Qiang's annual work report to the National People's Congress. The government says it aims to create over 12m new urban jobs by 2025, addressing “more pronounced structural employment problems.” Li emphasised that employment is the “cornerstone of people's livelihood,” and reiterated the need for an employment-first strategy. Xiong Wansheng, a rural-development expert, highlighted the serious unemployment among migrant workers, observing: “The possibility of people returning to poverty is there, and the pressure to alleviate poverty is rising.” Analysts note that stabilising the labour market and preventing poverty are crucial for maintaining social stability and economic growth.
STRATEGY
Heineken launches global GenAI lab in Singapore
Heineken has launched its first global generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) lab in Singapore, aiming to enhance growth, productivity, and customer engagement. Kenneth Choo, Heineken's Asia-Pacific managing director, said: “By harnessing Singapore's exceptional AI ecosystem, skilled talent and supportive government policies, we are excited to drive the development of innovative solutions that will transform the beverage industry for years to come.” The lab will focus on developing scalable GenAI solutions, including automated marketing content creation and financial reporting. Laurence Liew, AI Innovation director at AI Singapore, highlighted the collaboration's potential, saying: “By combining Heineken's industry expertise with our AI capabilities and talent, we are creating a powerful model for how businesses and research institutions can collaborate to create solutions with real-world impact.” Supported by the Economic Development Board, the lab aims to build a core team by the end of 2025.
Siemens to axe 6,000 jobs
Siemens has announced plans to eliminate over 6,000 jobs globally, representing about 2% of its workforce, due to weak demand and heightened competition in key markets including China and Germany. The majority of these cuts will occur in the factory automation unit, with around 5,600 positions expected to be lost by 2027, particularly in Germany. The company said: "Muted demand primarily in the key markets of China and Germany coupled with increased competitive pressures have considerably reduced orders and revenue." Additionally, 450 jobs will be cut from the company's electric vehicle charging business. Siemens says it aims to enhance competitiveness and invest in growth areas despite the challenges it faces in the industrial automation sector. At the end of last year, Siemens employed approximately 313,000 people worldwide.
Prudential opens new tech hub in India
Prudential has inaugurated its first fully-owned facility in Bengaluru, marking a significant investment in the Indian market. The company plans to employ 400 professionals in technology, artificial intelligence, and operations over the next three years. This hub will enhance Prudential's capabilities in data, software development, and cyber security, ultimately improving customer and agent experiences. Anette Bronder, Prudential's chief technology and operations officer, said: "Our vision is to digitise, simplify, and modernise the core of our business." The facility will also support Prudential's digital platforms, PRUServices and PRUForce, across Asian markets. Karnataka's minister of electronics, Priyank Mallikarjun Kharge, highlighted the hub's potential to create job opportunities and foster skill development in the region.
TECHNOLOGY
Human traits will remain critical for law firms
According to the new Simmons & Simmons "Law firm of the Future" survey, a significant majority of general counsel and senior legal heads believe that human traits like empathy and soft skills will be essential in the legal profession over the next decade. The survey, which included 500 legal heads, revealed that 78% anticipate these traits will remain in demand even as AI technology advances. Additionally, 77% expect lawyers' skills to evolve in response to changing client needs, necessitating a blend of traditional legal expertise and multidisciplinary skills, particularly in technology. Julian Taylor, Simmons’ senior partner, observed: “Our findings show that legal advisers from some of the world’s biggest companies expect the law firm of a decade from now to look dramatically different.”
Microsoft teams up with AI start-up to simulate brain reasoning
Microsoft is partnering with Swiss start-up Inait to deploy a new artificial intelligence (AI) model that simulates mammal brains’ real-world reasoning powers to advance fields from financial trading to robotics. “We believe that Inait’s approach to AI has the potential to bring significant value to the industry,” said  Microsoft Switzerland chief executive Catrin Hinkel. “Their neuroscience-inspired technology is truly innovative, and we are pleased to collaborate with them to bring these advancements to market, starting with the fintech and robotics sectors where we see opportunities for immediate transformation.” 
REGULATION
China cracks down on consumer rights violations
Chinese regulators have initiated a rapid response to businesses violating consumer rights following the annual 3.15 Consumer Rights Gala, which highlighted various illegal market activities. The State Administration for Market Regulation conducted overnight inspections across nine provinces, promising strict penalties for offenders. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has also ordered investigations into companies linked to illegal robocalls. This year's gala revealed serious violations, including unsafe food practices and the sale of defective products. Wang Peng, a researcher at the Beijing Academy of Social Sciences, observed: "The 3.15 gala doesn't just expose violations — it forces companies and regulators to act." In 2022, the market regulator addressed 39.24m consumer complaints, recovering 5.16bn yuan ($713m) for consumers. A national food safety reporting system is set to launch in May.
INTERNATIONAL
Lawyers speak up as firms stay silent
Law professors, bar associations and a federal judge have condemned US President Donald Trump's targeting of major law firms over their diversity policies and political clients, but law firms have stayed silent, reports Reuters. Public reaction from large corporate firms has so far come mainly from their lawyers via LinkedIn posts and an online effort involving junior lawyers at Skadden and other firms that is meant to encourage a larger institutional response. Reuters says all 30 of the largest US firms it contacted for their response to recent government actions either declined to comment or did not respond to requests for comment. As of yesterday afternoon, an open letter calling on major firms "to defend their colleagues and the legal profession" from Trump's actions had 444 signatories who identified themselves as associates at dozens of firms. The letter did not name the lawyers, only their firms.
Hungary cuts taxes to boost births
Hungary is implementing radical financial incentives to combat its declining fertility rate, which is projected to drop from 9.6m to 8.5m by 2050, according to the Hungarian Research Network. Mothers with two or more children will be exempt from income tax for life, while those with one child will enjoy tax exemption until age 30. Despite previous incentives that raised the fertility rate from 1.2 in 2011 to 1.6 in 2021, the rate has since stalled at 1.38. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán described the tax cut as “the largest in Europe, and indeed the entire Western world,” which aims to create a “family-centred economy.” He said: “With this, we are securing the future of Hungarian families for decades to come.”
Petro-backed Colombian labour reform faces major setback
Colombian President Gustavo Petro has faced a significant setback as a Senate committee rejected his proposed labour reform. The bill, which sought to enhance worker conditions and protections, was rejected by eight out of 14 senators on the committee, marking its second failure in Congress. Business associations opposed the reform, citing concerns over increased labour costs. Despite the rejection, Petro urged on his supporters, saying: "The people must rebel with the greatest possible force. We do not accept tyrannies."
OTHER
Vietnamese rice gains popularity among Japanese consumers
Japanese consumers are increasingly turning to Vietnamese rice as an alternative to domestic varieties, thanks to its comparable quality and lower price. Vietmam, the world's fifth-largest rice producer, is increasingly supplying Japan, where private rice imports have jumped from 368 tonnes in fiscal 2023 to 991 tonnes by the end of January 2025, according to Japan's Ministry of Agriculture. Despite a tariff of ¥341 per kilo on private rice imports, foreign rice remains a more affordable option for Japanese consumers compared to domestically produced varieties like Koshihikari.
 


The Human Times is designed to help you stay ahead, spark ideas and support innovation, learning and development in your organisation.

The links under articles indicate original news sources. Some links lead directly to the source material. Others lead to paywalls where you may need a subscription. A third category are restricted by copyright rules.

For reaction and insights on any stories covered in the Human Times, join the discussion by becoming a member of our LinkedIn Group or Business Page, or follow us on Twitter.
Follow us on FacebookFollow us on XFollow us on Linkedin

This e-mail has been sent to [[EMAIL_TO]]

Click here to unsubscribe