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APAC Edition
20th May 2025
 
THE HOT STORY
Concern over Japan's working poor
Concerns are rising over the working conditions of nonregular civil servants in Japan, particularly in public services like child care and welfare. Many of these workers face low wages and the threat of sudden dismissal, leading to a sense of insecurity. As of April 2024, approximately 1.2m nonregular local government employees account for over 20% of the workforce. The introduction of a new annual contract system has further complicated job security, with many fearing dismissal after being required to take recruitment exams. While some municipalities are beginning to improve working conditions, experts like Yoji Kambayashi stress that “poor working conditions of employees must not be tolerated” to sustain public services and local communities.
WORKFORCE
Australian employment soars past expectations
In April, Australian employment exceeded expectations, with net jobs increasing by 89,000, significantly surpassing the forecast of 20,000. The unemployment rate remained steady at 4.1%, while the participation rate climbed to 67.1%. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, this marked the largest monthly increase in over a year. Despite the positive employment figures, hours worked remained unchanged, and the Reserve Bank of Australia is anticipated to cut rates to 3.85% at its upcoming meeting due to cooling inflation and global uncertainties. The central bank expects unemployment to peak at 4.2% in this cycle, indicating a resilient labour market amidst economic challenges.
PRODUCTIVITY
Boosting Australia's productivity: a national priority
The Productivity Commission is set to invite submissions on 15 reform recommendations aimed at addressing Australia's productivity decline, a move welcomed by Treasurer Jim Chalmers. In December, Dr Chalmers tasked the Commission with identifying priority reforms to enhance wages, national income, and future-proof the economy without exacerbating inflation or government debt. Dr Chalmers said: “Flatlining productivity is one of the biggest challenges facing our nation, and that's why we need a big national effort to turn it around.” The recommendations will focus on key areas such as economic dynamism, workforce skills, digital technology, care delivery, and cleaner energy. The Commission recently reported a 0.1% decline in productivity for the December quarter, highlighting the long-term structural challenges that need to be addressed.
LEGAL
Qantas faces A$120m penalty threat
Qantas may be liable for over A$120m in penalties following a unanimous High Court decision that rejected the Australian carrier's appeal against a Federal Court ruling. The court found that Qantas had illegally dismissed more than 1,800 ground workers during the COVID pandemic in 2020. The Transport Workers Union (TWU) is advocating for the maximum penalty of A$121m, with secretary Michael Kaine commenting: “Not only was it an appalling act to get rid of a loyal workforce, it was the biggest case of illegal sackings in Australian corporate history.” The ongoing hearing aims to determine the exact penalties Qantas must pay, which could also include a A$120m compensation fund for affected workers.
HIRING
Job market heats up in Singapore
In Singapore, the demand for private market expertise is driving a significant increase in job postings, with recruitment agencies like Robert Walters and Randstad reporting a nearly 20% rise year-on-year in the first quarter of 2025. Lim Chai Leng, general manager at Randstad Singapore, noted that this surge is “attributed to higher demand for senior talent in origination and structurer.” The total assets under management in private markets had reached $150.5bn as of June 30, 2024, reflecting a growing interest in alternative investments. DBS Private Bank has seen its wealth clients' assets in private assets grow five-fold over five years, while UOB Private Bank acknowledges the competitive landscape for talent.
HEALTH & WELLBEING
Madhya Pradesh employees get health insurance
On Sunday, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav announced that all Indian government employees in Madhya Pradesh will be covered by health insurance, marking a significant commitment to staff welfare. The state government aims to enhance employee benefits, including matching the dearness allowance with the central government and fulfilling long-standing demands for house rent allowance. Yadav also highlighted the implementation of a comprehensive transfer policy and ongoing recruitment drives to fill vacant positions. Additionally, health insurance coverage will extend to Anganwadi workers and helpers under the 'Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana' and 'Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana'.
Chennai's gig workers to get relief
The Greater Chennai Corporation is set to provide relief for gig economy workers by constructing air-conditioned waiting rooms in T Nagar and Anna Nagar. The corporation has floated tenders worth ₹50 lakh for two facilities, each measuring 600–700 sq ft and accommodating 20 people. These rooms will feature charging points, drinking water, restrooms, and 24/7 access, catering primarily to delivery workers from companies like Zomato, Swiggy, and Dunzo. The initiative aims to create a comfortable space for workers, who currently wait in public areas, often exposed to harsh weather conditions.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
China and UK unite for AI
At the 2025 Sino-UK Entrepreneurs Forum in London, China's Ambassador to the UK, Zheng Zeguang, emphasised the importance of continued science and technology exchanges between China and the UK, particularly in artificial intelligence (AI). He stated: "We would welcome the UK sending a senior delegation to the upcoming AI conference in Shanghai," highlighting the need for international collaboration in AI development and governance. Zheng pointed out that misconceptions about China and political interference hinder progress, urging both nations to learn from each other. With over 4,500 AI-related enterprises in China and a core AI industry valued at nearly 600bn yuan (£83.25bn), the potential for joint projects in smart technologies is significant.
Unlocking AI skills for all
AVPN, a non-profit organisation, has launched the AI Opportunity Fund: Asia-Pacific, aimed at enhancing artificial intelligence skills among local communities. A survey revealed that only 15% of 3,000 respondents had participated in AI skill programmes, while 91% expressed a desire to learn. The fund, supported by Google.org and the Asian Development Bank, will provide US$15m to 49 organisations, focusing on upskilling marginalised groups, including migrant workers and persons with disabilities. Tictag and Hatch, two selected organisations from Singapore, aim to deliver accessible AI training to enhance employability and support underserved communities. In the fund's second phase, an additional US$10m will be committed to further AI upskilling initiatives in South-east Asia.
AI won't replace skilled trades, says Anthropic co-founder
Jack Clark, cofounder of Anthropic, asserts that certain professions are less susceptible to artificial intelligence (AI) disruption. He highlights skilled trades such as electricians and plumbers, which rely on human craftsmanship and problem-solving skills. Clark states: "These roles require precise manual skills... and the ability to adapt to unpredictable work environments." Additionally, relationship-driven office roles in sales and HR, as well as healthcare positions that demand empathy, are also likely to remain resilient. In healthcare, human oversight is crucial due to ethical implications and data privacy laws, which restrict AI's role. Clark emphasises that while AI can assist in diagnostics, critical medical decisions still require human judgment. Overall, jobs that rely on personal interaction and complex human relationships are expected to withstand the rise of automation.
AUTOMATION
China's robots: partners, not replacements
China is advancing the development of humanoid robots aimed at assisting human workers rather than replacing them. Liang Liang, deputy director of the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area, said: "We don't believe robots will make people unemployed, but rather they'll boost efficiency or take on tasks humans are unwilling to do." These robots are intended for challenging environments such as deep-sea and space exploration. Recently, Beijing hosted the world's first robot half-marathon, showcasing the capabilities of humanoid robots like Tiangong Ultra, developed by X-Humanoid.
TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT
New guidebook boosts sustainability training
Singapore's Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (Acra) has launched the Sustainability Reporting Body of Knowledge (SR BOK) guidebook to assist sustainability reporting training providers in aligning their courses with the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) standards. The guidebook covers essential topics such as materiality assessment and climate transition plans, and has been validated by over 50 industry stakeholders. Training providers, including the Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants and Nanyang Technological University, are committed to aligning their programmes with the guidebook to enhance the skills of professionals in sustainability reporting. Acra is also collaborating with SkillsFuture Singapore to provide funding support for these training programmes.
Empowering job seekers through internships
South Korea's Hana Financial Group has introduced its 2025 internship programme aimed at connecting job seekers from marginalised groups, including seniors and youth, with social ventures. The launch event, attended by over 100 participants, including chair and chief executive Ham Young-joo, highlighted the programme's goal to enhance employment opportunities. The revamped programme now includes “new seniors” and offers enhanced support, including monthly benefits of up to 300,000 won for personal growth and child education subsidies. Since its inception in 2018, the programme has successfully matched 705 job seekers with social ventures, with 69.2% of last year's interns transitioning to full-time roles.
INTERNATIONAL
Americans seek EU jobs amid visa crunch
A growing number of Americans are pursuing relocation to Europe due to domestic political instability, but face tightening visa regulations. Countries like Italy and Ireland are curbing citizenship-by-descent options, while investor and golden visa programs are being reduced or abolished. “People are really worried, they have this sense of urgency to have citizenship,” said Kelly Cordes of Irish Citizenship Consultants, noting a sharp rise in applications. Data from Deel shows a 16% increase in U.S. hires by European firms in early 2025, and job searches are spiking in Ireland and Portugal. Employers and HR teams in Europe may increasingly attract skilled US workers, especially via digital nomad, retiree, or specialized work visas, as concerns over job security and social climate drive emigration interest.
 


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