THE HOT STORY

Qantas pilots threaten industrial action

Qantas pilots are set to launch low-level industrial action after more than 90% voted in favour of protected action against what they describe as a "lowball" pay offer. More than 100 Express Freighters pilots, represented by the Transport Workers Union (TWU), Australian Federation of Air Pilots (AFAP), and Australian and International Pilots Association, are demanding pay increases to match industry standards and improvements to work-life balance. The unions have expressed disappointment over Qantas's refusal to enhance its offer after six months of negotiations. "Industrial action is always a last resort," said TWU National Secretary Michael Kaine, as he highlighted the poor conditions faced by workers. Qantas has said that it is negotiating in good faith and has contingency plans in place to ensure that freight operations remain unaffected.

Daily Mail

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STRATEGY

One Championship to relocate global production hub

Mixed martial arts organisation One Championship is to relocate its global production hub from Singapore to Bangkok, as it aims to centralise operations and enhance content delivery. One Championship's chairman and chief executive Chatri Sityodtong said that Thailand has played a key role in the company's global production efforts over the past two-and-a-half years. “As we scale our operations, this move allows us to centralise production and improve coordination, while continuing to grow our event and content output,” he explained, adding that the move to make Bangkok the primary production base for global content delivery is “a step forward in our evolution as a global sports media property” and “We remain committed to Singapore while reallocating resources to where it makes the most operational sense.”

Business Times SG

Pakistan businesses plan to shift to the Gulf

Amid growing unrest, the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) is protesting the Pakistani government's new legal provision granting policing powers to tax collectors. KCCI President Muhammad Jawed Bilwani warned that the move could lead to a mass exodus of businesses, saying: “Most of the people have shifted to the UAE and Gulf countries where they say the tax rate and electric tariffs have been fixed for 10 years.” Over 24,000 Pakistani businesses have already registered with the Dubai Chamber of Commerce in recent years, reflecting a trend of migration to more stable environments. The government's push to reform the tax system, including a target of Rs14tn ($50bn) for the next fiscal year, has raised concerns about its impact on local industries and employment. Bilwani cautioned that if the government does not address grievances, protests could escalate into nationwide strikes.

Arab News

TECHNOLOGY

Chinese AI banned at US government agencies

A bipartisan group of US lawmakers has introduced the "No Adversarial AI Act," which aims to prohibit the use of artificial intelligence models developed in China, including those from DeepSeek, within US government agencies. The legislation follows concerns that DeepSeek is supporting China's military and intelligence efforts. It would establish a framework to regularly update a list of banned AI technologies from adversarial nations including Russia, Iran, and North Korea. Representative John Moolenaar said: "The US must draw a hard line: hostile AI systems have no business operating inside our government."

Reuters

WORKFORCE

Most employees in India confident about affording healthcare needs

According to the 2025 edition of The Mercer Marsh Benefits report, over 90% of employees in India feel confident about affording healthcare for themselves and their families. However, financial constraints and long wait times are significant barriers to accessing necessary care. The report, based on a survey of more than 18,000 employees across 17 markets, highlights a shift in employee expectations towards flexibility and long-term support. Sanjay Kedia, president of Marsh McLennan India, said: “Our report provides a strategic blueprint for employers,” as he emphasised the importance of prioritising benefits that support long-term health planning. The report also suggests that employers can enhance healthcare quality by adopting innovative delivery models like telemedicine.

Asia Insurance Review

LEGAL

China's revised anti-unfair competition law

A revised anti-unfair competition law will come into effect in China on October 15, following its passage by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress. The law, which consists of five chapters, aims to enhance the rules against unfair competition, improve law enforcement, and promote a competitive market environment. The law will seek to "maintain the order of market competition" and establish a unified, open, and orderly market system.

Chinadaily US Edition

ECONOMY

Global economy faces 'pivotal moment', says Carstens

Agustín Carstens, general manager of the Bank for International Settlements, has warned that the global economy is at a "pivotal moment" as it enters a "new era of heightened uncertainty and unpredictability." This, he said, is testing public trust in institutions such as central banks. Mr Carstens, the former governor of Mexico's central bank, said increasing protectionism and trade fragmentation is "particular concerning" as they were exacerbating a decline in economic and productivity growth. He also voiced concern over evidence that the world economy is becoming less resilient to shocks. Pointing to rising debt levels, Mr Carstens said: "This trend cannot continue."

Reuters

INTERNATIONAL

Dutch worker absences due to 'bore-out' rise five-fold

The number of sick leave days taken by workers in the Netherlands linked to so-called bore-out, a workplace condition precipitated by prolonged boredom and a loss of motivation, increased five-fold from 2021 to 2024, according to the occupational health service Arbo Unie, which observed: “We see that companies and organisations, for example in business services, frequently hire young people who, despite good salaries, carry out relatively simple work. When they do this for a long time, the work becomes boring, leading to bore-out.” Absenteeism due to burnout has also increased, but at a much lower rate - 28% since 2021.

NL Times

Lithium miner cuts jobs in Chile

SQM, the world's second-largest lithium miner, has initiated layoffs affecting 5% of its workforce in Chile due to a significant decline in lithium prices, which have dropped nearly 90% since late 2022. The company, which missed profit expectations in the first quarter, said that the job cuts would not impact core operations or production guidance, although the union representing workers expressed regret over the decision and questioned the reasons behind it.

Reuters

Graduate jobs in UK hit seven-year low

Data from Indeed reveals that graduate jobs in the UK have reached their weakest level since at least 2018, with postings down 12% compared to last June. The decline follows Chancellor Rachel Reeves' £20bn increase in national insurance contributions, which has led employers to hesitate in hiring junior workers. The UK is now the only developed nation with job postings remaining below pre-pandemic levels, approximately 21% lower than in February 2020. Jack Kennedy, senior economist at Indeed, noted that while the labour market is "holding out overall," new graduates are facing significant challenges in securing employment. The analysis also highlights a decrease in job postings for HR, marketing, and media, alongside a reduction in work-from-home opportunities.

City AM

The Guardian

OTHER

Prada credits new design's Indian legacy amid controversy

Prada has acknowledged the ancient Indian roots of its new sandal design after the debut of the open-toe footwear sparked controversy among artisans and politicians in India. At its fashion show in Milan last weekend, the luxury group showed models wearing leather sandals with a braided design that resembled handmade Kolhapuri slippers with designs dating back to the 12th century. A wave of criticism in the media and from lawmakers followed over the Italian brand's lack of public acknowledgement of the Indian sandal design, which is named after a city in the western state of Maharashtra. Lorenzo Bertelli has written to the Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce to address the matter, saying: "We acknowledge that the sandals . . . are inspired by traditional Indian handcrafted footwear, with a centuries-old heritage." Sambhaji Chhatrapati from the Kolhapur Royal family had previously said he was upset that craftsmen had not been acknowledged for the "history and heritage of 150 years."

Reuters

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