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APAC Edition
15th April 2025
 
THE HOT STORY
Recruitment boast sparks backlash
China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) has said it received 1.196m résumés from young jobseekers for just 8,000 positions during its recent recruitment campaign. The state-owned power conglomerate said the huge response was indicative of its “strong magnetic effect” in attracting top talent. But the company's boast has met with backlash among younger jobseekers. Lisa Bai, a university student in Shanghai, remarked: “This . . . is so offensive. The pain of job-hunting for fresh graduates shouldn't be a company's source of pride.” A record 12.22m students are expected to graduate from universities and colleges this summer, and securing suitable employment remains a challenge for many young people in China amid economic headwinds.
LEGAL
Man who threw banknotes at employee 'committed assault'
A man in Korea has been fined 500,000 won ($350) for throwing eight 50,000 won bills at a motel employee in Suwon, Gyeonggi, after being denied parking access. The Suwon District Court ruled that the act constituted assault under Korean law, and that it caused both physical and psychological distress. The man claimed he intended to throw the money towards the counter, not at the employee, and argued that paper bills could not inflict harm. However, prosecutors maintained that throwing money at someone’s face amounted to unlawful physical force. The court upheld the fine, rejecting the man's appeal.
TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT
Chinese students rethink US education
The number of Chinese students studying in the United States is declining due to rising geopolitical tensions and safety concerns. The 2024 Blue Paper for Chinese Overseas Students Returning to China for Employment reveals that only 14.54% of Chinese returnees with doctoral degrees studied in the US, a significant drop from 25% in 2020. Chen Zhiwen from the Chinese Society of Educational Development Strategy said: "Geopolitical tensions inevitably affect the international flow of students," as he highlighted a potentially hostile study environment. The 2024 Open Doors Report indicates that China has been surpassed by India as the largest source of international students in the US. Despite the challenges, certain fields like economics and mathematics continue to attract Chinese students to US institutions.
WORKFORCE
Union claims Woolworths reorganisation might cut salaries for thousands
Woolworths has confirmed a restructure that will see some senior staff roles changed and the closure of two Auckland supermarkets. The new model will involve staff working together on tasks, rather than working separately in departments, which may lead to more efficient customer service. However, Workers First Union, which represents some Woolworths staff, has said it would mean the loss of income for thousands of workers. The new model would also mean the loss of department management and duty supervisor roles, with people currently in those roles potentially facing pay cuts and loss of hours. Woolworths has said the new model will mean clearer leadership pathways and will invest NZ$6.6m in training and upskilling team members.
STRATEGY
Hong Kong's digital economy ambitions
Zheng Yanxiong, the director of the central government's liaison office in Hong Kong, has higlighted the need for the city to leverage the "one country, two systems" principle to enhance international collaboration. Speaking at the World Internet Conference Asia-Pacific Summit, he urged Hong Kong to accelerate the development of the Northern Metropolis and use platforms including the Hong Kong Science Park and Cyberport to attract digital economy enterprises. Zheng highlighted the importance of forming an industry cluster focused on artificial intelligence, big data, cloud computing, and blockchain to foster the local digital economy's growth. Additionally, he called for the industrialisation of digital and technological research to support this vision.
TECHNOLOGY
AI praise-giving tool promises ‘authentic’ insights
The makers of Workhuman, a “social recognition” platform where colleagues post praise for each others’ work and can recommend corresponding rewards, say the technology can help workers feel more valued.
SUSTAINABILITY
Lego opens Vietnam toy factory running on 100% clean energy
Lego has opened a $1bn factory on Vietnam that it says will make toys without adding planet-warming gas to the atmosphere by relying entirely on clean energy. The factory in the industrial area of Binh Duong, close to Ho Chi Minh City, is its sixth worldwide and second in Asia. The factory is an important factor in Lego’s quest to stop adding greenhouse gases by 2050. "We just want to make sure that the planet that the children inherit when they grow up needs to be a planet that is still there. That is functional," said chief executive Niels Christiansen.
INTERNATIONAL
UK's LGBTQ+ workers still feel pressured to 'be less gay'
LGBTQ+ professionals in the UK still feel under pressure to downplay their identity in the workplace, according to a report from Pride in Leadership, a network of LGBTQ+ business leaders which surveyed 1,000 LGBTQ+ professionals between June and November last year. The report says that some respondents had changed their appearance, voice or behaviour to avoid discrimination or to be taken seriously, with some still feeling like they have to "be less gay." Matt Haworth, co-founder of Pride in Leadership, said: "This research reflects what I've seen as a gay leader . . . From homophobia in meetings to being invited on trade missions to a country where I could be sentenced to death just for being me . . . the playing field is far from level."
US FDA reverses office mandate for staff
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has reinstated remote work for some employees following significant staff cuts that jeopardised its operations. An internal email revealed that review staff and supervisors can now telework at least twice a week. The telework decision comes after the layoff of approximately 3,400 employees, or over 15% of the agency, as part of a broader effort by Elon Musk's Department of Government of Efficiency. It may be part of a larger effort by newly confirmed FDA Commissioner Dr Marty Makary to rebuild FDA staffing efforts. “Dr. Makary needs to rebuild teams and restart the engine of productivity lost to weeks of job insecurity, uncertainty and shortages of team members,” said Steven Grossman, a former HHS official. “Turning commuting time back into work time is a great first step in achieving both.” Former FDA Commissioner Dr David Kessler had criticised the layoffs as “devastating, haphazard, thoughtless and chaotic.” 
Lima's transport workers strike to demand action against crime surge
Public transportation workers in Lima, Peru, launched a strike on Thursday, demanding government action against escalating crime, which has resulted in a record number of murders. Martin Valeriano, leader of a transit union, said: "This has to stop! Sixteen drivers have been killed by hit men this year alone." The government reported a 36% increase in murders from 2023, with 2,059 recorded in 2024. In response to the violence, including the recent killing of public bus drivers, the government has mobilised 13,000 police and military personnel in an attempt to ensure safety. 
Italy's sex workers get official business code
Sex workers and escorts in Italy have now got their own ATECO business code from national statistics agency Istat to classify activities linked to sexual services. The ATECO code is a classification system used to uniquely identify the economic activities of companies and freelancers. Istat said that pimping or any other exploitation of prostitution was not being given an ATECO.
 


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