Human Times

APAC Edition

8th July 2025

THE HOT STORY

Massive payout for supermarket workers

More than 500 current and former supermarket employees in regional South Australia are set to receive A$5.5m in back pay, marking one of the largest retail underpayment settlements in the state's history. Tahlia Troeth, a former employee of Eudunda Farmers Limited (EFL), described the settlement as a "huge validation" for workers, highlighting the disappointment felt by the community over the underpayment issues. The Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees' Association (SDA) reported that the average payout per worker will be nearly A$11,000, with some individuals receiving over A$145,000. Josh Peak, SDA South Australian secretary, said: "It's one of the biggest retail underpayment settlements ever achieved in South Australian history." The case, which began in 2021, revealed misclassification and incorrect payment practices affecting workers' wages.

ABC Online

LEGAL

Microsoft cracks down on North Korean fraud

Microsoft has suspended around 3,000 Outlook and Hotmail accounts linked to North Korean IT workers as part of a crackdown on a global fraud scheme known as "Jasper Sleet." This operation has infiltrated numerous Fortune 500 companies, with North Korean workers using fake identities to secure remote jobs. The Department of Justice (DOJ) has also taken action, seizing hundreds of laptops and shutting down "laptop farms" across the US. A Maryland nail salon employee, who held 13 remote jobs linked to these workers, is set to be sentenced in August. The scheme reportedly generates up to $600m annually, funding North Korea's nuclear programme. Microsoft has developed advanced detection tools to combat this issue, stating that "impossible time travel risk detections" help identify suspicious account activity.

The Times of India

Mangalore University faces recruitment scandal

Mangalore University in Karnataka, India, has incurred a financial loss of Rs 26 crore due to the excessive recruitment of contract and temporary staff between 2018 and 2023, as revealed in a report to its syndicate body. The report indicates that these recruitments were not sanctioned by the syndicate or the state government. Following a government audit, the university has begun terminating excess staff, with 144 already laid off. The university is also struggling financially, needing Rs 14 crore for retirement benefits for upcoming retirements in the 2024-25 academic year.

The Times of India

TALENT MANAGEMENT

South Korea's talent exodus escalates

South Korea is facing a significant talent exodus as its highly educated professionals seek better opportunities abroad. The country’s top universities, including Seoul National University, have lost 56 professors to foreign institutions in the past four years, with many lured by salaries up to four times higher than domestic offers. The systemic issues, such as frozen tuition fees and stagnant salaries, have exacerbated the situation. South Korea ranks 35th out of 38 OECD nations in AI talent retention, with 0.36 artificial intelligence (AI) professionals leaving for every 10,000 people. Experts urge a shift towards “brain circulation” to retain domestic talent and attract international professionals. “Without proper compensation and opportunities to grow as an expert, the brightest minds will leave the country,” warned a graduate student in AI.

Straits Times

PepsiCo India appoints Saakshi Verma Menon as CMO

PepsiCo India has appointed Saakshi Verma Menon as chief marketing officer for its food division. She will oversee marketing strategy, innovation, and consumer engagement across key brands including Lay’s, Kurkure, Uncle Chipps, Quaker, Cheetos, and Doritos.

Economic Times

WORKFORCE

Nurses strike escalates in Queensland

Queensland hospitals are preparing for significant disruptions as the Queensland Nurses and Midwives' Union (QNMU) initiates Stage 2 of its protected industrial action today. This escalation follows the rejection of the government's wage offer of an 11% increase over three years, with the union demanding a 13% rise. QNMU Secretary Sarah Beaman said “We will not be gaslit, or taken for fools,” highlighting concerns over burnout, poor nurse-to-patient ratios, and staff shortages. The action will see nurses refuse non-clinical tasks, impacting operations across Queensland Health facilities. Health Minister Tim Nicholls described the government's proposal as a “nation-leading” package, but the QNMU argues that it undermines their status as the highest-paid nurses in Australia. With ongoing negotiations failing, the union warns that the dispute “could escalate if demands are not met.”

Yahoo News Australia

Indian nurses to the rescue

The first group of Indian nursing care workers, trained through a collaboration between Sompo Care and India's National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), has commenced employment in Japan. This initiative aims to tackle Japan's skilled manpower shortage and ageing population. Launched in August 2024, the training programme includes Japanese language instruction and practical training, with a goal of training 100 caregivers annually and hiring 1,000 by 2040. The initial batch of eight trainees successfully passed Japan's "specified skills" test, qualifying them for residency and employment. Sompo Care has committed to ensuring these recruits receive equal pay to their Japanese counterparts, with opportunities for advancement based on performance. With Japan facing a projected shortfall of 570,000 nursing care workers by 2040, the initiative is being seen as a crucial step towards addressing the crisis.

Asia Insurance Review

Side hustles soar in Singapore

In Singapore, a growing number of individuals are embracing side hustles, driven by the desire for creative fulfilment and income diversification, as highlighted in a report by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA). The report reveals that 33% of respondents are engaged in additional employment beyond their primary jobs. Employers are generally supportive of side gigs, provided they do not affect work performance. However, experts advise caution, particularly in industries like retail, where side hustles may impact job responsibilities. Daniel Leung, ACCA Singapore country manager, notes that social media has normalised entrepreneurial ventures, particularly among younger generations.

Straits Times

TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT

Empowering Thai youth through internships

The National Defence College of Thailand has initiated the "Future Ready by Future Leader" internship programme to enhance opportunities for Thai youth, particularly in the Deep South. Launched on July 4, the project aims to pair young individuals with leading companies, aspiring to convert at least 10% of participants into full-time employees. The programme, which includes over 50 participating companies and 150 internships, focuses on bridging the skills gap and fostering adaptability among graduates.

Bangkok Post

Boosting employability for ITI graduates

The Telangana government has introduced the Gateway for Adapting and Training Employment initiative to improve the employability of ITI graduates in the state, currently at only 30%. The goal is to raise this figure to 60%, with an estimated 1.5 lakh jobs available across various industries. The initiative will establish Gate committees in all ITIs, comprising industry experts and principals, to align training with industry needs. Despite 30% of graduates finding jobs, a disconnect exists between training programmes and industry demands, with officials noting gaps in data collection and infrastructure.

The Times of India

ECONOMY

Unlocking Thailand's silver economy potential

Thailand is on the brink of a significant economic transformation, with the potential to tap into a 3.5trn baht "silver economy" driven by its growing elderly population. A study by the Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI), commissioned by the Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC), highlights the vast opportunities available. Monthip Samphanthawong, director at NESDC, noted that this demographic shift presents an "unprecedented opportunity" for developing goods and services tailored to older individuals. In 2023, elderly consumer spending reached 2.18tn baht, projected to rise to 3.5tn baht by 2033. Key sectors identified for growth include housing, food, health, and recreation, with recommendations for policy shifts to support these areas. The report emphasises the need for a shift from a welfare-oriented approach to one that fosters economic growth, ensuring that the elderly can remain active participants in the workforce.

The Nation

HIRING

Infosys shifts to hybrid recruitment model

Infosys has transitioned from a fully virtual recruitment process to a hybrid model, combining both virtual and in-person elements. This shift follows challenges faced during the pandemic, where virtual hires did not meet expectations, leading to the termination of 600 employees at the Mysuru campus. In the 2024-25 financial year, Infosys received 4.44m applications, interviewed 430,000 candidates, and offered jobs to 83,207. The company noted that "the effectiveness of its candidate assessment in a virtual hiring process may be compromised" due to issues like fake profiles and technical difficulties.

The Times of India

Livemint.com

APPRENTICESHIPS

Apprenticeships need employers to thrive

Aaron Morey, acting chief executive of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA, highlights a critical issue in Australia's skilled trades shortage: "Without employers, there are no apprenticeships." Morey argues that apprenticeship opportunities depend entirely on businesses willing to take on untrained individuals, which involves significant costs and risks. With 90,000 fewer apprentices and trainees in the system over the past three years, there is an urgent need to rethink vocational education. Morey emphasises the importance of providing incentives for employers, both small and large, to engage in training. He warns that a training system disconnected from job opportunities undermines itself, stating: "Real reform means addressing all parts of the pipeline." Morey calls for a collaborative approach to support both apprentices and the businesses that train them, as the future workforce relies on this engagement.

West Australian

HEALTH & SAFETY

Heatwave hits Japan: workers at risk

Japan is experiencing a severe heatwave, with temperatures in Tokyo reaching record highs, prompting heatstroke alerts in 30 of the 47 prefectures. The government has introduced new labour safety regulations requiring employers to implement protective measures against heatstroke. These measures include ensuring employees wear breathable clothing, installing sun-blocking ceilings, and providing air-conditioned break spaces. At a construction site in Tokyo, workers from Daito Trust Construction are using innovative air-conditioned jackets with cooling fans, which have been distributed to 1,500 workers. The construction sector has seen nearly 20% of heatstroke-related illnesses this year, highlighting the urgent need for such protective measures.

Straits Times

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