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APAC Edition
7th May 2025
 
THE HOT STORY
Singapore wants to tap the potential of senior workers
Singapore faces the challenge of an ageing workforce, but Tan Hee Teck, president of the Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF), believes the nation can be an exception to the notion that ageing populations are a drag on economic growth. He said: “Through our collective efforts, we can navigate Singapore through the turbulent waters ahead.” The upcoming Tripartite Workgroup on Senior Employment aims to enhance job opportunities for senior workers and improve their employability. Tan emphasised the importance of embracing diversity and inclusion in workplaces, which can lead to better talent attraction and retention. He also highlighted the need for employers to adapt to the changing workforce landscape, including the rise of gig and freelance jobs, and to remain open to global talent to drive innovation.
TECHNOLOGY
AI agents reshape workplace dynamics
The 2025 Work Trend Index report by Microsoft reveals a significant shift in how organisations, particularly in Thailand, are integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into their operations. Dhanawat Suthumpun, Managing Director of Microsoft Thailand, said the report shows how Thai executives "are highly engaged with the transformation of their organisation's core strategy.” The report indicates that 93% of Thai leaders believe they must rethink their strategies, with 90% confident in using AI agents as digital team members within the next 12-18 months. The study highlights that 68% of Thai leaders have begun implementing AI agents to automate processes, the highest rate globally. However, a skills gap remains, as 78% of leaders are familiar with AI compared to only 53% of employees. Upskilling employees is a priority for organisations worldwide in the coming year.
HIRING
Bengaluru-based start-up helps gig workers find jobs using Open AI
Vahan.ai, India's leading artificial intelligence (AI)-powered recruitment platform for the gig economy, has announced a collaboration with OpenAI to enhance employment access for millions. The AI recruiter, powered by GPT-4o, significantly improves the recruitment process, increasing productivity nearly threefold. “Our mission at Vahan.ai has always been rooted in the belief that access to work should not depend on one's network,” said Madhav Krishna, founder and chief executive. The platform currently assists around 40,000 individuals in securing jobs monthly across various companies, including Zomato and Swiggy. Vahan.ai plans to expand its AI capabilities to support eight additional Indian languages, further enhancing its reach in a linguistically diverse country.
STRATEGY
PwC to cut about 1,500 jobs in the US
PwC is reportedly planning to lay off around 1,500 employees in the US, representing 2% of its 75,000-strong workforce. The layoffs primarily affect the Big Four accounting firm's audit and tax divisions. "This was a difficult decision, and we made it with care, thoughtfulness, and a deep awareness of its impact on our people, appreciating that historically low levels of attrition over consecutive years have made it necessary to take this step", PwC said in a statement.
TAX
Malaysia pauses tax expansion amid tariffs
Malaysia is postponing its planned expansion of the sales and service tax, originally set for May 1, due to pressures from impending US tariffs. The government aims to negotiate a deal with Washington during the 90-day pause on higher tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump. Soh Thian Lai, president of the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers, emphasized the need for the government to avoid additional tax burdens this year, as the sector faces significant cost pressures. The finance ministry is refining the guidelines for the tax changes, which are now scheduled to be gazetted on June 1. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim noted that the tax will target non-essential items and commercial services.
RISK
European research funders pause China projects
Three major European funding agencies have ceased new collaborations with China's National Natural Science Foundation since 2021 due to concerns over Beijing's Data Security Law. This law prohibits sharing "important data" with foreign partners without approval and creates uncertainty for researchers. The Swiss National Science Foundation observed: "It is not clear what the definition of 'important data' is." The suspensions may hinder research in global health. Jan Palmowski, secretary-general of the Guild of European Research-Intensive Universities, underscored the need for responsible data sharing to effectively respond to health challenges.
INTERNATIONAL
‘DEI’ is being removed from US corporate filings
Corporate America's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) has significantly waned, particularly following the Trump administration's push against such initiatives. According to an analysis by the Washington Post, S&P 500 companies mentioned DEI only four times in their 10-K filings in 2024, a stark decline from an average of nine mentions in 2020. Andrew Jones, principal researcher at The Conference Board Governance and Sustainability Center, noted: "The number one way that companies have responded to DEI scrutiny and backlash is adjusting language." The shift has led many corporations to abandon traditional DEI terminology in favour of more neutral terms like "belonging." The Supreme Court's decision to strike down affirmative action in college admissions has intensified this trend, prompting companies to rebrand their DEI efforts to avoid legal and political backlash.
WhatsApp banter deemed unprofessional
An employment judge in London has heard how group chats on WhatsApp can blur the lines between professional and private lives by mixing messages about genuine work issues with social "banter", jokes and inappropriate language. The comments were made in a case in which a woman sued a pre-school in northwest London, where she was formerly deputy manager, after being referred to as "witcheypoo" by a deputy manager. The tribunal panel said the group chat was "a perfect example of how to unprofessionally blur the boundaries between the workplace and personal relationships." The tribunal added that the chat "created the perfect tinderbox for emotional flare-ups, falling out and external workplace factors . . . and disproportionately influence[d] the behaviour of those working [there]."
Citi del Sol: How the party ended for Wall Street bank’s Málaga experiment
The FT reports on how the work-life balance dream turned sour for the junior analysts hired by Citigroup to work from the now-closed office in the Spanish resort of Málaga.
OTHER
Japan announces new climate framework to assist Thailand
Japan has launched the AZEC-SAVE initiative to support Thailand in achieving its climate goals. The initiative aims for carbon neutrality by 2050 and net zero emissions by 2065. The programme, announced by the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) and other Japanese agencies, will provide expertise and financial backing for energy efficiency measures across various sectors. Otaka Masato, Japan's Ambassador to Thailand, said: "Actively working to reduce carbon dioxide emissions is definitely a prudent strategy," as he highlighted the importance of collaboration. The initiative will focus on enhancing Thailand's energy landscape, particularly in power generation, transmission, and consumption, while promoting energy-saving technologies and practices. Key activities will include business matching events and educational campaigns to raise awareness about carbon neutrality.
 


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