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APAC Edition
4th June 2025
 
THE HOT STORY
Korean delivery services make rare pause for voting
South Korean e-commerce and courier companies agreed to suspend delivery services on June 3 to allow delivery workers time to vote in the snap presidential election. The election day is a national holiday in South Korea, encouraging high voter turnout, which reached nearly 80% in the last presidential election.  Coupang, South Korea's biggest e-commerce platform, agreed to halt express deliveries for the first time since it launched in 2014, joining other local delivery services including CJ Logistics and Hanjin Logistics. "I welcome the decision. But on the other hand, it is a little regrettable that night drivers cannot rest," said Coupang courier Cho Shin-hwan, who has had to work on the day of previous elections. "Those affected worked hard to achieve this," observed Kim Eun-jung, Deputy Secretary General at the People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy, a non-governmental body, highlighting how delivery workers were excluded from current labour protection laws.
HIRING
Accounting talent surge in Singapore
Singapore's accounting sector is experiencing a significant turnaround, with a notable increase in student enrolment in the Singapore Chartered Accountant Qualification (SCAQ) programme. As of December 31, 2024, enrolment surpassed 4,200 candidates, marking a 47% rise from the previous year. Teo Ser Luck, president of the Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants (Isca), highlighted that universities are also witnessing a surge in interest, with some reporting 100% of successful applicants choosing accountancy as their first-choice degree. The Accountancy Workforce Review Committee (AWRC) has implemented recommendations to enhance entry-level wages and diversify qualification pathways, contributing to this positive trend.
LEGAL
Korean workers struggle with maternity leave
According to a recent survey by Gapjil 119, nearly 40% of Korean workers are unable to freely utilise maternity or parental leave. The survey, conducted with 1,000 participants, revealed that 36.6% could not access maternity leave, while 42.4% faced similar issues with parental leave. The situation is particularly dire for non-regular workers, with 46.5% unable to take maternity leave and 52.3% unable to take parental leave. Gender disparities were also evident, as 47.7% of women reported difficulties with maternity leave compared to 27.7% of men. Gapjil 119 highlighted cases of workplace abuse, including one worker who was pressured to resign upon announcing her pregnancy.
HEALTH & WELLBEING
Free health checks for overseas Filipino workers in the UAE
Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the UAE, who number over 700,000, will soon benefit from free annual medical check-ups, according to the Philippine Department of Migrant Workers (DMW). DMW minister Hans Leo Cacdac announced the initiative during a Senate inquiry into irregularities in pre-employment medical examinations. The free check-ups will be funded by the Aksyon Fund, which supports OFWs in need of urgent assistance. Cacdac assured that routine health monitoring will also be provided during deployment and before repatriation.
TECHNOLOGY
China's AI revolution captivates investors
According to Magdalena Stoklosa, director of pan-Asia research at Morgan Stanley, China's advancements in artificial intelligence and humanoid technology are attracting significant investor interest. Following breakthroughs by AI start-up DeepSeek, Morgan Stanley upgraded Chinese stocks to equal weight, noting that China remains underweight in global emerging markets. Stoklosa highlighted the need to monitor how AI models are monetised over the next 12 to 18 months, pointing out the supportive government infrastructure and a vibrant innovation ecosystem in China. She said: “The DeepSeek announcement has shifted the fundamental discussion about China to technological innovation.” 
Thai organisations embrace AI
Thai organisations are increasingly adopting artificial intelligence (AI), with a survey indicating a rise in AI readiness from 15.2% in 2023 to 17.8% in 2024. Rojana Lamlert, head of the AI Governance Centre (AIGC), noted that the percentage of organisations planning to implement AI surged from 56.6% to 73.3% during the same period. The AIGC is working to support organisations in prioritising AI development, viewing governance as a necessary framework. However, a shortage of skilled personnel remains a significant challenge.
STRATEGY
Microsoft cuts hundreds more jobs
Microsoft says it is cutting hundreds more jobs just weeks after 6,000 layoffs were announced last month. More than 300 employees were told their positions had been eliminated on Monday, according to a Washington state notice. “We continue to implement organizational changes necessary to best position the company for success in a dynamic marketplace,” a Microsoft spokesperson said.
SUSTAINABILITY
New decarbonisation playbook for Singapore manufacturers
Manufacturers in Singapore can now access a new 62-page playbook titled "Decarbonisation Playbook: A Practical Guide for Manufacturers to a Low-Carbon Future," launched by DBS, the Singapore Manufacturing Federation (SMF), Ernst & Young, and Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP). The resource aims to assist over 5,000 local manufacturers in adopting sustainable practices. Graham Ng, director of NYP's School of Engineering, said: “The playbook enables industry partners to develop greater awareness about incorporating sustainability practices in their workplace.” It outlines a six-step framework for decarbonisation and will be integrated into NYP's curriculum, reaching approximately 1,000 students annually. Additionally, workshops will be co-hosted to provide practical guidance on implementing the playbook's strategies. This initiative is part of a collaboration to support local SMEs in their green transition.
INTERNATIONAL
Consultancy focus sees 'culture and mindset' shift
Writing in the Telegraph, Louis Goss opines that where a role at a leading accounting firm was once among the most prestigious jobs in the City of London, there has been a shift as the Big Four firms seek to become "sprawling sellers of consultancy services." He cites a former consultant who suggests roles at the leading firms are now about "making money from bulls--t by pretending to be an expert in front of large corporate clients." Professor Atul Shah of City University, London, says an increased focus on consulting has transformed the "culture and mindset" at the Big Four, and notes that such work represents at least a third of these firms' revenue. Shah says that this "has made them highly commercial firms, with strong revenue generation incentives for partners." The Telegraph says that “Insiders at the accountancy firms may agree that their ranks are filled with nonsense roles. But, for now at least, the big four are likely to keep the 'bulls--t jobs' boom going for as long as possible.”
CTA paid some employees to stay home and not work, watchdog says
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) has come under fire for paying a small group of employees in its "vault operations" unit - which is responsible for processing money taken from CTA fareboxes - to work remotely for nearly five years, despite their inability to perform duties from home. According to a report from the Office of Executive Inspector General (OEIG), these 10 employees received just under $1.13m for days spent not working since the pandemic began. The report observes: “No justifiable reason for this continued payment was provided.” The OEIG recommended a review of remote work policies to prevent similar issues in the future. CTA spokesperson Catherine Hosinski said that the agency took immediate action upon learning of the situation and has implemented all recommendations. The report's release comes amid warnings of potential service cuts due to a looming fiscal shortfall.
Ford workers in Germany strike for job security
Ford is facing a crisis, with over 10,000 workers at its Cologne plant in Germany going on strike for the first time in its 100-year history. The strike was prompted by plans to cut 2,900 jobs. Industry experts, including Ferdinand Dudenhöffer from the Bochum Center for Automotive Research, warn that Ford's position in Europe is precarious as the company struggles to adapt to the shift towards electric vehicles. David Lüdtke from the IG Metall labour union says he remains committed to fighting for job security and fair compensation for employees.
OTHER
Hong Kong McDonald's poised to overtake London outlet as world's busiest
McDonald's flagship store in Hong Kong, a 9,000 sq ft outlet at the Admiralty Centre, is set to overtake a location at London's Liverpool Street station as the busiest in the fast-food chain's global network of more than 40,000 outlets. The Hong Kong restaurant, which recently reopened after a three-week closure for renovation work, serves more than 1,000 customers an hour during peak periods. “We are competing to get to first place, beating the Liverpool [Street] outlet,” commented international developmental lead, Hisham Sidky, adding that it will surpass London "very soon. If not this month, it will be next month."
 


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