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APAC Edition
4th April 2025
 
THE HOT STORY
Australian wage growth surges under new law
New research from the McKell Institute reveals that the Australian government's "Same Job, Same Pay" framework has significantly increased wages across the country. Introduced in 2023, this amendment to The Fair Work Act aims to eliminate the "labour hire loophole," ensuring that labour hire workers receive equal pay to their permanent counterparts. Ed Cavanough, chief executive of the McKell Institute, said: "This report shows it is doing exactly that, and on a far greater scale than many expected." The report highlights that wage growth is already surpassing government forecasts, with potential annual wage impacts estimated to reach up to A$920.3m. Employment and Workplace Relations Minister Murray Watt emphasised the importance of fair pay, warning that any repeal of the law could harm workers' earnings and the economy, particularly in regional areas.
WORKFORCE
Tea workers protest in Tinsukia
In Tinsukia, a city surrounded by sprawling tea estates in Assam, northeast India, hundreds of workers from the Rangagora tea estate have participated in a protest march, part of a larger statewide demonstration organised by the Assam Chah Mazdoor Sangha (ACMS) trade union. Led by Raju Sahu, the workers voiced their demands, including an increase in daily wages from Rs 250 to Rs 500 due to rising inflation. Other key demands included granting Scheduled Tribe status to the adivasi tea community, removal of smart meters, and better medical and housing facilities. Sahu said: "Tea workers have been the backbone of Assam's economy for generations, yet they continue to struggle for basic rights and dignity." The protesters submitted an 11-point charter to Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Labour Minister Rupesh Gowala.
Cambodian workers exempt from Thai entry and exit fees over Khmer New Year
Cambodian workers in Thailand will not incur entry and exit fees at the Cambodia-Thailand international border from April 1 to May 15, according to the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training. The exemption applies to legally employed Cambodians holding a valid Non-Immigration L-A Visa and includes certified children under 18. The ministry emphasised that workers must use the designated border gate, where their travel documents will be stamped without the need for additional applications or fees. However, those returning after May 15 will need to complete applications and pay the required fees. Battambang provincial governor Sok Lou has urged Thai officials to facilitate the return of Cambodian workers to their hometowns.
TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT
New app for seasonal foreign workers in Korea
Korea's King Sejong Institute Foundation (KSIF) has launched a new mobile application, KSI Korean: Agri & Fisheries, which is aimed at assisting foreign workers in the agriculture and fisheries sectors with Korean language learning. Coinciding with Korea's Fishermen's Day, the app offers 15-minute daily lessons focusing on essential workplace vocabulary and expressions. With the number of foreign seasonal labourers in Korea rising from 30,401 in 2023 to 56,895 in 2024, the need for accessible language tools has become critical. “We hope this app becomes a practical resource for migrant workers,” said KSIF acting president Bae Jong-min. The app is free and available on Google Play and the Apple App Store.
STRATEGY
Block lets go of 1,000 employees
Jack Dorsey, co-founder of Block, the company which operates payment platforms Square and Afterpay, the money transfer app CashApp, and the music streaming service Tidal, has announced the termination of approximately 1,000 employees via email, saying that the job losses are not due to financial constraints or increased AI usage. Dorsey wrote that the reorganization is about “raising the bar and acting faster on performance, and flattening our org so we can move fast and with less abstraction . . . we need to move faster to stay ahead of the transformational moment our industry is in, so we’re able to continue increasing access, openness and automation.”
INTERNATIONAL
Foreign tech workers campaign against new Swedish citizenship law
Eric Peterson, a Spotify software engineer, has launched a petition against Sweden's new law tightening citizenship requirements, which he believes will deter highly skilled foreign workers. The letter argues that extending the residency requirement from five to eight years will diminish Sweden's appeal to skilled workers and that retroactive application of the law could harm trust in Swedish institutions. Peterson hopes to highlight the economic implications of the proposed changes to influence the government's decision-making process. "I've been very surprised and pleased at the volume of signatures that we've received and the feeling behind it," Peterson told The Local. "We're at a little over 130 signatures right now, which is way more than I expected, because I'm not broadcasting this. This is just going through the whisper networks of immigrants in tech in Sweden."
Foreign tech workers campaign against new Swedish citizenship law
Eric Peterson, a Spotify software engineer, has launched a petition against Sweden's new law tightening citizenship requirements, which he believes will deter highly skilled foreign workers. The letter argues that extending the residency requirement from five to eight years will diminish Sweden's appeal to skilled workers and that retroactive application of the law could harm trust in Swedish institutions. Peterson hopes to highlight the economic implications of the proposed changes to influence the government's decision-making process. "I've been very surprised and pleased at the volume of signatures that we've received and the feeling behind it," Peterson told The Local. "We're at a little over 130 signatures right now, which is way more than I expected, because I'm not broadcasting this. This is just going through the whisper networks of immigrants in tech in Sweden."
More Dutch employers include religious holiday swaps in CAO
An increasing number of employers in the Netherlands are willing to accommodate workers who wish to swap religious holidays. As Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr, many companies are incorporating this flexibility into their collective labour agreements (CAOs). For instance, Muslims can take time off for Eid by offering to work during Christian holidays like Christmas. Civil engineering firm Arcadis has already implemented a holiday swapping system that includes various cultural and religious observances. This initiative allows employees to maintain their holiday entitlements while respecting diverse cultural practices.
France stands firm on DEI policies
France's minister for foreign trade, Laurent Saint-Martin, has said that his country will not compromise on its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives despite reported demands from the U.S. State Department for French companies to abandon such policies. Speaking on RTL Radio, Saint-Martin expressed his shock at the US interference, emphasising that the DEI initiatives align with French values and laws, including equality and anti-discrimination efforts. He said: “All of this is progress that corresponds first and foremost to our French values, we are proud of this and we don't want to compromise on it.” He did, however, stress the need to have a “positive agenda” and maintain a dialogue with the US.
OTHER
Earthquake shakes Thailand's insurance market
Following the earthquake in Myanmar, Thai insurers may face payouts amounting to tens of millions of US dollars. The disaster resulted in the collapse of a 34-storey building in Bangkok, with damages potentially leading to insurance claims exceeding THB1bn (approximately $29m). The building, which was the Thai Auditor General's Office, was only 30% complete and had a total construction budget of THB2.1bn. It was insured under a Construction All Risks policy valued at THB2.24bn, with coverage provided by Dhipaya Insurance, Bangkok Insurance, Southeast Insurance, and Viriyah Insurance. Insurers are currently assessing claims for various affected properties across Bangkok and other cities, with a clearer picture of the total damage expected in the coming week.
 


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