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APAC Edition
4th July 2025
 
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THE HOT STORY

China's human resources companies urged to cut 'dishonest' practices

Several human resources associations in China, including the Shanghai Human Resources Consulting Association, have urged local HR companies to eliminate "dishonest practices" and promote healthy industry development, China Daily reports. They emphasised the need for transparency, and called for firms to display their credentials and service details openly. The initiative also advocates for fair recruitment practices to discourage discriminatory hiring based on ethnicity, gender, or religion. Furthermore, the associations propose the creation of a mechanism to share a list of such "dishonest" companies.
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HEALTH & WELLBEING

One third of UTS staff suffer psychological distress amid job axe threat

Staff at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) are grappling with significant psychological distress as the institution prepares for 400 redundancies amid a $100m restructure known as the Operational Sustainability Initiative (OSI). A survey by the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) revealed that 35% of staff reported very high levels of psychological distress. Dr Hossai Gul, a UTS expert, highlighted the "helplessness and uncertainty" felt by staff, saying: "There are kind and compassionate ways to do [redundancies] . . . people shouldn't become unwell." The NTEU's National President, Dr Alison Barnes, condemned the lack of proper consultation, linking the job cuts to a broader trend of anxiety across the university sector. SafeWork NSW is currently investigating the potential psychological harm to staff.

China's first heat-health risk warning issued

China has issued its first national heat-health risk warning as it prepares for extreme temperatures. The alert, from the National Disease Control and Prevention Administration and the China Meteorological Administration, aims to enhance public health readiness amid climate challenges. Wang Qing, an expert  with the disease control administration, noted that "the human body's sweating system may fail under high temperatures," leading to illnesses including heatstroke. The warning system categorises heat-health risks into five levels, with a red alert for regions facing the highest risks. Authorities advise the public to monitor forecasts, avoid outdoor activities during peak heat, and stay hydrated. The new system, developed using data from over 2,400 stations, reflects the health impacts of extreme heat and is tailored to regional vulnerabilities.
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HIRING

South Korean universities ramp up global recruitment

As the United States enforces stricter visa regulations and anti-DEI policies, South Korean universities are proactively seeking to attract international students. Yonsei University has introduced a year-round transfer system for foreign undergraduates, allowing those affected by US visa issues to continue their studies without interruption. The initiative includes partnerships with top American institutions for temporary study in Seoul. A Yonsei official observed: “Having more students from top US institutions will not only enhance Yonsei's competitiveness but also elevate its standing in global university rankings.” Similarly, Seoul National University and Korea University are implementing measures to recruit international talent, including expanded funding for overseas research and a new faculty recruitment strategy. The Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology is also seeking to hire 200 international postdoctoral researchers in artificial intelligence, showcasing South Korea's commitment to enhancing its academic landscape amidst global competition.

Shanghai revises policy for Overseas Talent Residence Permit

Shanghai has revised its Overseas Talent Residence Permit policy to better attract international professionals, effective from July 1 until June 30, 2030. This permit, first introduced in 2002, facilitates the settlement of overseas professionals and their families in Shanghai, granting access to various public services. Eligible applicants include international professionals with a bachelor's degree or special skills, as well as Chinese overseas students with foreign nationality. The application process has been streamlined, reducing the approval period from seven to five workdays. The permit's validity ranges from one to 10 years, depending on the applicant's qualifications.
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TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT

Amazon's upskilling leaves Australia behind

Amazon's global upskilling initiative has largely overlooked its Australian workforce. At a recent conference in Japan, Amazon announced the deployment of its one millionth warehouse robot, highlighting the company's commitment to automation. However, only one of Amazon Australia's eight fulfilment centres is equipped with these advanced artificial intelligence (AI)-operated robots. As a consequence, Australian workers are falling behind in retraining opportunities, and despite the global creation of 700 new job categories since the introduction of robots, Australian facilities remain outdated compared to their international counterparts. A proposed highly-robotised warehouse in Melbourne is expected to generate over 2,000 jobs, from entry-level positions to engineering roles.
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LEGAL

Huawei must face US criminal charges, judge rules

A judge in New York has thrown out Chinese telecommunications company Huawei Technologies' bid to dismiss most of a federal indictment accusing it of attempting to steal technology secrets from US rivals, and misleading lenders about its work in Iran. In a 52-page decision, US District Judge Ann Donnelly said she found sufficient allegations in the 16-count indictment that Huawei engaged in racketeering to expand its brand, stole trade secrets from six companies, and committed bank fraud.
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CORPORATE

Almost 45% of CFOs say half of business travel could be replaced by virtual meetings

According to SAP Concur’s 7th Annual Global Business Travel Report, 43% of chief financial officers believe more than half of their company’s travel could be replaced by virtual meetings. The study, based on the responses of 600 CFOs, 700 travel managers and 3,750 business travelers, shows that although most CFOs are still allocating towards travel budgets, some are increasingly questioning the value of travel given the high costs, fraud potential and risk it puts on the business. A large majority (90%) of CFOs expect travel budgets to stay flat or rise in 2025. Data shows that although most CFOs are still allocating towards travel budgets, some are increasingly questioning the value of travel given the high costs, fraud potential and risk it puts on the business.

 
CFO
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INTERNATIONAL

Mexico remittances down 5% in May as US weighs tax

Remittances to Mexico dipped 4.6% in May compared to a year earlier, according to central bank data published as the United States prepares to implement a tax on the funds sent by workers to their families back home. The figure for May was $5.36bn, with 13.9m transactions averaging $385 each. The size of each individual transaction increased compared to the same month last year, but the number of transactions fell 5.7%. Mexico is the world's second-largest recipient of remittances after India. It receives remittances mainly from workers in the US.

Glovo pauses contested heatwave bonus for couriers in Italy

Food delivery platform Glovo has suspended a "heat bonus" for its couriers in Italy amid criticism from labour unions and politicians. Glovo recently introduced the bonus, worth just a few euro cents per delivery and rising in step with temperatures, to compensate riders working during a blistering heatwave in which the government has issued a red alert for 18 cities. Labour unions criticised the scheme, saying it encouraged gig workers to continue riding their scooters during the fierce heat. "Glovo resolved to suspend at national level the bonus system for deliveries during the hottest hours of the day," the company said in a statement.

US environmental agency puts 139 employees on leave

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has placed 139 employees on administrative leave after they signed a "Declaration of Dissent" criticising President Donald Trump's policies. The letter accused the government of "harmful deregulation" and fostering a "culture of fear" within the agency. The EPA said in a statement: "The Environmental Protection Agency has a zero-tolerance policy for career bureaucrats unlawfully undermining . . . the administration's agenda." The action coincides with significant staff reductions and a major reorganisation within the agency, which aims to cut regulatory red tape and promote fossil fuel development.

Company ordered to pay compensation for sending emails to employee on sick leave

The High Court of Justice of Galicia has fined a company €1,500 for sending emails to an employee who was on sick leave. The judges in the case observed that the right to digital disconnection in Spain "requires that no communications are received from the company outside working time . . . This right is not fulfilled simply because the employee is not obliged to respond to messages received outside working hours immediately or otherwise." The court heard that this right "entails an obligation on the part of the employer and of the dependent or related persons to abstain from communications of a work-related nature outside working time."
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OTHER

President Trump launches new fragrance line

President Donald Trump has launched a new line of fragrances, including a cologne for men and a perfume for women, priced at $249 per bottle. He announced the products on his Truth Social account, writing: “Trump Fragrances are here. They’re called ‘Victory 45-47’ because they’re all about Winning, Strength, and Success - For men and women." The colognes come in golden statuettes of the president dressed in a business suit with his distinctive signature at the bottom. They are being sold by a company called 45Footwear LLC via Mr Trump’s name, image and likeness partnership with CIC Ventures LLC. The fragrances are the latest in a series of products associated with Mr Trump, who has faced scrutiny over potential conflicts of interest as he promotes merchandise while in office.
 
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