The latest business Intelligence for HR professionals and people managers everywhere
Sign UpOnline Version
APAC Edition
27th June 2025
 
THE HOT STORY
Penalties proposed for Australian employers who ignore harassment
The Australian Human Rights Commission has released a report advocating for fines against employers who fail to take "reasonable steps" to prevent workplace sexual harassment. The report, titled Speaking from Experience, highlights the experiences of over 300 individuals affected by harassment. Dr Anna Cody, the Sex Discrimination Commissioner, noted that "one in three workers have experienced workplace harassment in the past five years." The report recommends removing confidentiality agreements that protect offenders and suggests that employers should face civil penalties for non-compliance. Prabha Nandagopal, a human rights lawyer, underscored the need for transparency, saying that the Commission is perceived as a "toothless tiger" due to its inability to publicly share investigation outcomes.
WORKFORCE
Fear grips Myanmar workers in Malaysia
Myanmar workers in Malaysia are increasingly fearful due to intensified government inspections and arrests of undocumented migrants. Since May, Malaysian authorities have conducted unannounced raids, targeting foreign workers, particularly those from Myanmar. One worker said: “This month has been terrible. We can't even sleep well at night because we're afraid of when the raids will come.” The operations have extended beyond factories to shopping malls and food stalls, with police monitoring workplaces closely. A significant operation in Kuala Lumpur resulted in the arrest of 1,435 undocumented foreigners, including 1,222 Myanmar nationals.
LEGAL
Workplace breaches in Victoria's prime horticulture zones
More than 80% of horticulture businesses in Victoria's key growing regions are violating laws designed to protect workers, according to a recent report by the Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO). The investigation, which spanned three years, highlighted that 83% of employers in the Mornington Peninsula and Yarra Valley failed to comply with the Fair Work Act. Anna Booth, Fair Work Ombudsman, said: "The vast majority of the wrongdoers are labour hire employers and they are often quite difficult to pin down." The report also noted that Queensland's Wide Bay and Moreton Bay regions showed significant improvement. The FWO has issued over $760,000 in fines to employers for failing to meet pay slip and record-keeping obligations.
WORKPLACE
Hong Kong ranked most international city in Asia
The Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce has released the inaugural “Asian Cities Internationality Index 2025”, ranking Hong Kong as the most international city in Asia with a score of 73.7, just ahead of Singapore at 73.5. However, the chamber cautioned that the city must tackle significant weaknesses in innovation and talent to secure its future amid increasing geopolitical risks. Patrick Yeung Wai-tim, the chamber's chief executive, highlighted that Hong Kong's development has not yet reached a stage where scientific research can be effectively commercialised. Despite its top ranking in the “business and economy” segment, Hong Kong placed fourth in “innovation and ideas”, falling behind Shanghai, Singapore, and Seoul.
STRATEGY
Bumble cuts 240 jobs in shake-up
Bumble, the online dating platform, has announced plans to lay off approximately 240 employees, representing about 30% of its global workforce. The decision, approved by the board, aims to "realign its operating structure to optimise execution on its strategic priorities." The company anticipates annual cost savings of $40m from the reductions, which will be reinvested in product and technology development. Chief executive Whitney Wolfe Herd said: "Bumble, like the online dating industry itself, is at an inflection point," as she highlighted the need for difficult decisions during the company's rebuilding phase. The layoffs are expected to incur costs of between $13m and $18m, primarily in the third and fourth fiscal quarters.
TECHNOLOGY
Reddit vows to stay human to emerge a winner from artificial intelligence
Reddit chief executive Steve Huffman warns that the company is in an “arms race” to protect its online communities from a surge in artificial intelligence-generated content, observing “Reddit is distinctly human.”
ECONOMY
Gaokao graduates go wild with wallets
Following the conclusion of the national college entrance exam, or gaokao, earlier this month, China's high school graduates have embarked on a spending spree, marking their transition into adulthood. This phenomenon, termed the "post-gaokao economy," has seen an 88% increase in travel bookings, as many young people embark on their first independent adventures. Parents are often funding these "reward consumption" habits, leading to a notable rise in sales of electronics and personal care services. However, the trend has raised concerns about rational consumption, with dermatologists warning about the safety of cheap hair dyes. Ultimately, this shift in spending habits reflects deeper changes in China's social landscape, as businesses seek to adapt to youth's preference for quality and emotional fulfillment over mere materialism.
Thai retailers face tough economic times
Thailand's local retailers are struggling amid challenging economic conditions, worsened by low agricultural prices, according to Showsiri Treechairasmee, business development director at CS Park Co. The company has seen a continuous decline in sales since the second quarter of 2024, with year-to-date sales down by a single-digit percentage. "When crop prices fall, coupled with high household debt, consumer purchasing power fades", she noted. The Thai household debt-to-GDP ratio stood at 88.4% in the fourth quarter of 2024. The garment sector is particularly affected, with consumers opting for smaller product sizes. Ms Showsiri anticipates ongoing challenges in the retail sector due to weak consumer confidence and political instability, which may delay government budget disbursement. Ekkaphum Treechairasmee, chief sales officer at Chaisaeng Department Store Partnership, added that a slowdown in tourism could further impact retail. While the government's cash handout provides some relief, its effect on retail spending is limited.
INTERNATIONAL
Deloitte, PwC and EY fined in Dutch audit exams scandal
The US audit regulator, the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB), has imposed a total fine of $8.5m on the Dutch branches of Deloitte, PwC, and EY due to widespread cheating on internal training exams, including ethics tests. The PCAOB reported that "hundreds" of staff, including senior leadership, improperly shared answers from 2018 to 2022. The fine follows a similar incident in which KPMG Netherlands was fined $25m for answer-sharing. The PCAOB noted that the firms cooperated with the investigation and have since implemented clearer policies. Deloitte and PwC will each pay $3m, while EY will pay $2.5m in civil penalties.
HR firm Deel denies allegations in Irish ‘spy’ case
In a defence filed with the High Court in Dublin, US human resources software giant Deel has formally denied allegations of wrongdoing following claims it paid Dublin man Keith O'Brien to pass on trade secrets from Rippling, a rival firm also headquartered in the US. Deel said it was disputing all allegations related to the alleged “covert course of conduct.”

Oman to introduce income tax
Oman is poised to become the first Gulf state to implement a personal income tax after Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said ratified a 5% tax on earnings exceeding OR42,000 (£109,000). Set to take effect in 2028, the tax will include deductions for healthcare and charitable donations, and affect only about 1% of the population. Tax adviser Thomas Vanhee noted that wealthy individuals may reconsider their residency in Oman, saying: "Not that 5% is too high, but for some people any dirham or any penny is too high." The move is indicative of a shift in Gulf states' reliance on oil revenues, as they explore new revenue sources amid fluctuating oil prices and budget deficits.
OTHER
Pope Leo XIV raises AI concerns
Pope Leo XIV has expressed concerns regarding the potential negative effects of artificial intelligence (AI) on the intellectual, neurological, and spiritual development of young people. In a message to an AI and ethics conference at the Vatican, he emphasised the need for AI development to adhere to a "superior ethical criterion" that safeguards human dignity. He said: "All of us, I am sure, are concerned for children and young people, and the possible consequences of the use of AI on their intellectual and neurological development." Pope Leo has identified AI as a critical issue for humanity, echoing the sentiments of his predecessor, Pope Francis, who advocated for an international treaty to regulate AI and ensure it remains human-centric.
 


The Human Times is designed to help you stay ahead, spark ideas and support innovation, learning and development in your organisation.

The links under articles indicate original news sources. Some links lead directly to the source material. Others lead to paywalls where you may need a subscription. A third category are restricted by copyright rules.

For reaction and insights on any stories covered in the Human Times, join the discussion by becoming a member of our LinkedIn Group or Business Page, or follow us on Twitter.
Follow us on FacebookFollow us on XFollow us on Linkedin

This e-mail has been sent to [[EMAIL_TO]]

Click here to unsubscribe