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APAC Edition
28th March 2025
 
THE HOT STORY
Bill passes parliament to improve gender equality in Australia
Large businesses in Australia are set to implement significant changes to enhance workplace gender equality following the passage of a new bill. The revised Workplace Gender Equality Act mandates that organisations with over 500 employees establish three gender equality targets within three years. Employers can select from various priority areas, including addressing the gender pay gap and improving workforce composition. Approximately 2,000 employers will be affected, benefiting around 3.9m employees. Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) chief executive Mary Wooldridge emphasised the importance of these targets, saying: “Targets are specific, time-bound and measurable objectives that set a benchmark for employers to work towards.” Failure to comply may result in losing Commonwealth contracts and public naming by the agency. The WGEA has reported a gender pay gap of $28,425 annually. 
WORKFORCE
Indonesia lifts ban on migrant workers
Indonesia is poised to send 600,000 domestic helpers and skilled labourers to Saudi Arabia, following a decade-long ban on migrant workers. The decision comes after assurances of improved labour protections, as stated by Abdul Kadir Karding, the Migrant Workers Protection Minister, who noted: “After ensuring that Saudi Arabia's labour protection system has improved sufficiently, we will reopen the programme.” The government anticipates foreign exchange earnings of 31tn rupiah (approximately US$1.89bn) annually from the initiative. However, rights groups express concerns over the adequacy of safeguards, citing ongoing issues of mistreatment and abuse faced by Indonesian workers in the region. Activists, including Nuharsono from Migrant Care, highlight the need for robust protections, especially for female workers, urging the government to prioritise their safety over economic gains. Anis Hidayah from Indonesia's National Commission on Human Rights emphasises the importance of public consultation to prevent human rights violations.
HEALTH & WELLBEING
Shift workers face sleep crisis
Roughly 32.2% of shift workers in Korea, particularly older adults and women, are at risk of sleep disorders, according to a study by neurology professors Shin Won-chul and Byun Jung-ick at the Sleep Center, Kyung Hee University Hospital. The research surveyed 624 shift workers, revealing that irregular schedules and stress significantly disrupt sleep. The World Health Organization has classified night shift work as a group 2A carcinogen, highlighting the need for effective sleep management. Recommendations include maintaining consistent shifts for one to two weeks and improving sleep environments, such as using blackout curtains. The global sleep health survey by ResMed found that 67% of Korean respondents cited stress as the primary cause of poor sleep, exceeding the global average of 57%.
ECONOMY
Chinese business forum sees Premier call for embrace of open markets
At the China Development Forum in Beijing at the weekend, Chinese Premier Li Qiang called for nations to embrace open markets to address "rising instability and uncertainty," amid looming U.S. tariffs and geopolitical tensions, as he addressed foreign chief executives and U.S. Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT). Facing a drop in foreign investment and a sluggish economy, China aims to bolster domestic consumption and attract global businesses, with Li emphasizing proactive macroeconomic policies and resistance to "unilateralism and protectionism." High-profile attendees, including Apple's Tim Cook and Qualcomm's Cristiano Amon, underscored Beijing's push to deepen ties with international firms despite fewer American CEOs present compared to last year.
REMUNERATION
Pay rises on the horizon in Hong Kong
Despite a civil service pay freeze and uncertainty surrounding US policies, a recent survey indicates that many professionals in Hong Kong can expect salary increases this year. According to Hays, 77% of surveyed professionals anticipate raises, with over a third expecting increments of up to 2.4%. Lawrence Hung Yu-Yun, president of the Hong Kong Institute of Human Resource Management, observed: “The outlook in Hong Kong has improved from 2024, with organisations looking to provide increments to more working professionals this year.” While the economy faces challenges, including a projected deficit of HK$87.2bn, the majority of organisations are still planning to adjust salaries, with only 20% not expecting any changes. Recruitment agency Randstad also reported that over a third of employers foresee average increments of 3 to 5%.
STRATEGY
BMW affirms commitment to China
BMW Group has reaffirmed its commitment to China, calling it a "cornerstone" of its future strategy. At the China Development Forum 2025, Oliver Zipse, chairman of the board, said: "We are committed to further investing in China and driving greater development." The new phase, termed "Cooperation 2.0," aims at technological innovation and sustainable mobility solutions. With over three decades in China, BMW has invested approximately 116bn yuan ($16.8bn) in its Shenyang production base, establishing it as a global manufacturing hub. The company is also enhancing local R&D with four innovation hubs and three software firms, focusing on next-generation vehicles tailored for the Chinese market. Zipse said: "Our story in China is clear: we grow with China, innovate with China, and thrive with China's prosperity."
TECHNOLOGY
Budget microphones make a bad impression
A study by Yale University reveals that poor audio quality during video conferences can negatively impact perceptions of a speaker's intelligence, credibility, and desirability. Researchers for a paper in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences recruited more than 5,000 listeners and played them recordings of people in different contexts. They found that participants consistently rated individuals with tinny or distorted audio as less competent and trustworthy, regardless of the content of their speech. "You may want to consider how much a cheap microphone may really be costing you," said Yale's Brian Scholl.
CYBERSECURITY
Microsoft unleashes AI against hackers
Microsoft is launching a team of artificial intelligence (AI) cybersecurity agents to combat the rising complexity of cyber threats, which have surged to "unprecedented complexity," according to Vasu Jakkal, vice president of security at the tech giant. The company tracked 30bn phishing emails last year, highlighting the overwhelming volume that human teams cannot manage. These AI agents will autonomously sift through suspicious emails and block hacking attempts, primarily serving IT and cybersecurity teams. The agents will be integrated into Microsoft's Copilot tools, ensuring they have defined roles and limited data access, and adhering to a "zero trust framework."
INTERNATIONAL
Federal layoffs in US raise espionage fears
Mass layoffs and resignations in the US government are raising alarms about potential espionage threats. As President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk implement significant changes, thousands of federal workers with sensitive knowledge are being let go. National security experts, including Theresa Payton, a former White House chief information officer, warn that adversaries like Russia and China may exploit this situation to recruit informants. Payton said “This information is highly valuable,”  as she highlighted the risks posed by departing employees who may have access to critical data. With over 100,000 federal workers typically leaving annually, the current surge in departures could increase the likelihood of espionage incidents. Experts emphasise that even one disgruntled former employee could cause significant damage, as demonstrated in past cases like Robert Hanssen and Aldrich Ames. The internet has made it easier for foreign agents to identify and recruit potential informants, raising further concerns about national security.
General strike looms in Israel as tensions rise
Arnon Bar-David, chief of Israel's Histadrut Labor Federation, has convened a meeting with industry leaders to discuss the potential for a general strike in response to recent government actions. The meeting aimed to establish the "red line" that would trigger such a strike. Earlier, Histadrut warned the government to respect the High Court of Justice's ruling regarding the dismissal of Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar. Bar-David said that ignoring the court's decision would be a “final red line that cannot be crossed,” and he said the union “will not sit quietly and watch [the government] take apart the State of Israel.”
Dutch mechanics unite for nationwide strike
Over 1,000 mechanics and workers in the Netherlands' bicycle sector began a two-day strike on Thursday. The action follows the failure of sector organisation BOVAG to improve its collective bargaining agreement offer after previous strikes. Murat Sekercan, a board member of the FNV labour union, said that workers across all provinces, except Groningen and Friesland, will participate, with those in the latter provinces expected to strike next week. The strikes are expected to disrupt operations at numerous car and bicycle companies, leading to longer wait times for maintenance. The FNV is demanding a 7% wage increase, while BOVAG has offered only 2.3%. Other unions, including CNV, are also joining the strike, advocating for a 6% increase to enhance purchasing power. BOVAG expressed its disappointment over the strikes, saying that the current offer is sufficient to address inflation in 2024.
OTHER
Samsung Electronics co-CEO Han Jong-hee
Samsung Electronics has reported that co-chief executive Han Jong-hee has died of a heart attack. Mr Han, who was 63, had since 2022 shared CEO duties with the head of Samsung’s semiconductor business, most recently Jun Young-Hyun. Mr. Jun was named the sole chief executive of Samsung Electronics on Tuesday following Mr. Han’s death.
 


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