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APAC Edition
14th July 2025
 
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THE HOT STORY

China's employment crisis deepens

China's employment landscape is increasingly dire, according to observers, affecting workers across all sectors. Liang Wang, a corporate culture director, expressed his concerns, commenting: “There just aren't enough orders for production.” The urban jobless rate stands at 5%, but youth unemployment is significantly higher at 14.9%. The situation is exacerbated by a combination of structural and cyclical challenges, as noted by Wang Dan from the Eurasia Group, who remarked: “We've never faced anything quite like it.” The manufacturing sector is particularly strained, with many companies closing due to rising costs and reduced demand. Amidst this turmoil, the government is implementing measures to support job creation, including a one-time employment subsidy for hiring unemployed youth. However, the overall outlook remains bleak, with many workers opting for job stability over seeking new opportunities.
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WORKFORCE

Fixing Australia's apprentice crisis

Liam O'Brien, assistant secretary of the Australian Council of Trade Unions, critiques the current approach to addressing Australia's skilled trades shortage. He argues that merely increasing employer incentives for hiring apprentices is ineffective, as 70% of employers already benefit from such incentives. The recent strategic review of the Australian Apprenticeship Incentive System revealed that low pay is a significant barrier, with many apprentices leaving for better-paying jobs. O'Brien emphasises the need for employers to improve supervision and training, commenting: "Instead of asking for hand-outs, employers should take more seriously their responsibility to supervise apprentices." He calls for a radical overhaul of the apprenticeship system to ensure better support and retention of apprentices.

WA court security staff strike for safety

Court security staff in Western Australia have staged an eight-hour strike, accusing Ventia of failing to honour key safety agreements. The Transport Workers Union (TWU) claims that Ventia has mismanaged negotiations and delayed addressing crucial issues. TWU WA state secretary Tim Dawson said: “Ventia's latest offer is an insult. They're playing games with our safety and our livelihoods.” The protest follows ongoing frustrations over poor wages and unsafe staffing levels, despite the Cook Labor government injecting an additional A$6m into the contract earlier this year. Workers are demanding pay parity with those employed by G4S, as chronic understaffing continues to jeopardise their safety. The TWU emphasised that “workers will not stop until they win fair wages, safety and respect.” This marks the second significant strike by Ventia-employed court security officers this year.
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FUTURE OF WORK

China's industries embrace tech revolution

China is undergoing a significant transformation in its traditional industries, driven by President Xi Jinping's vision for innovation and sustainability. These sectors, which account for approximately 80% of the country's manufacturing output, are being revitalised through advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, and automation. Recent inspections have shown a focus on tailored industrial upgrades based on regional strengths, with Xi advocating for a balanced approach that does not dismiss older enterprises. In 2024, investment in technological upgrades in manufacturing rose by 8%, indicating a strong commitment to modernising these sectors. The government's work report outlines plans for further technological advancements and digitalisation to ensure the continued evolution of traditional industries.
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HEALTH & SAFETY

China boosts insurance for gig workers

China has broadened its occupational injury insurance programme to include more workers in new employment forms, as reported by Xinhua. Launched in July 2022, the pilot programme is now expanding to 10 additional provincial-level regions and various platform companies, including Didi Chuxing. The initiative aims to cover all provincial regions and platform companies in sectors like ride-hailing and delivery by 2026, with potential inclusion of other industries by 2027. Currently, over 12.3m workers, including delivery personnel and ride-hailing drivers, benefit from this insurance, which offers essential protection in case of serious accidents.
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PRODUCTIVITY

Breaking the cycle of overwork

High-performing professionals often find themselves trapped in a relentless cycle of overwork, driven by an "entrainment cycle" that synchronises their emotional and physical states with their organisation's demanding pace. Research involving over 150 interviews in law and accounting firms reveals that this culture of overwork is not merely a personal choice but a deeply ingrained norm. As one participant noted, “When I'm busy, generally speaking, I am more energized.” However, this constant pressure can lead to burnout, decreased productivity, and a fragile work culture. To combat these issues, organisations are being encouraged to rethink their work structures, such as implementing a four-day workweek or promoting asynchronous communication. By addressing the tempo of work rather than just the hours, companies can foster a healthier work-life balance and improve employee well-being.

AI takes over the workplace

In a recent interview with Bloomberg, Salesforce chief executive Marc Benioff stated: “Artificial intelligence (AI) is doing 30%-50% of the work,” highlighting the significant impact of AI on the workplace. The World Economic Forum reports that over 40% of employers are restructuring or planning to automate roles, with white-collar jobs being particularly affected. Amazon CEO Andy Jassy echoed this sentiment, predicting a reduction in the corporate workforce due to efficiency gains from AI. The report indicates that while approximately 92m jobs may be lost to AI, an estimated 170m new jobs will be created, resulting in a net increase of 78m jobs. To safeguard their careers, individuals are encouraged to develop skills in applied AI, critical thinking, and personal branding, ensuring they remain competitive in an evolving job market.

Don't let AI overshadow your workforce

Organisations often overlook the invaluable lived experiences of their workforce when implementing artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance productivity. According to McKinsey & Company's findings, companies that successfully transform are better funded and have a stronger talent approach. The article highlights five critical issues arising from an over-reliance on AI, including contextual blindness, loss of institutional knowledge, and employee disengagement. It warns that "when companies begin to treat experience as replaceable, experienced employees get the message that they're not valued." To mitigate these risks, organisations should integrate human insights into AI processes, encourage knowledge sharing, and ensure that experienced employees remain central to decision-making. Ultimately, technology should support the workforce, not substitute it.
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REMUNERATION

Meta offers mega pay for AI talent

Bloomberg reports that Meta Platforms has made record-breaking compensation offers to attract artificial intelligence (AI) experts to its “superintelligence” team, including a package exceeding $200m for ex-Apple engineer Ruoming Pang. These multi-year offers combine base salary, cash bonuses, and heavily performance-tied Meta stock. Apple reportedly did not counter due to internal pay norms. Meta’s AI recruitment push also includes former GitHub chief executive Nat Friedman and Scale AI’s Alexandr Wang, now Meta’s Chief AI Officer via a $14.3bn equity deal. Offers rival CEO pay at major banks and are structured to reward long-term loyalty and Meta stock performance. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said some employees received $100m signing bonuses but stayed due to OpenAI’s innovation culture. Nonetheless, Meta has hired over 10 OpenAI researchers along with talent from Anthropic and Google. 
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LEGAL

Travel agents face crackdown in Punjab

In Punjab, deputy commissioners are now required to collect monthly self-declaration forms from travel agents registered under the Punjab Travel Professionals' Regulation (PTPR) Act. These forms must confirm that agents do not provide overseas employment services without the necessary permits as mandated by the Emigration Act, 1983. The Punjab home department's advisory, issued on June 20, aims to address violations by PTPR licence holders, following reports from the protector general of emigrants. The advisory also emphasises the importance of promoting safe migration practices and calls for legal action against offenders to protect the interests of Punjab's youth.

Ex-Samsung employee jailed for theft

A former Samsung Biologics employee has been sentenced to three years in prison for illegally taking sensitive company documents, including "national core technologies" in biotechnology. The Incheon District Court found the 46-year-old guilty of violating the Industrial Technology Protection Act. The employee extracted 175 sets of confidential documents, totalling around 3,700 pages, over ten days in December 2022. He was caught attempting to leave the headquarters with 300 printed pages of trade secrets.
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AUTOMATION

FedEx teams up with QuikBot

FedEx has partnered with QuikBot Technologies to enhance last-mile delivery in Singapore through the use of autonomous delivery robots. This collaboration aims to tackle the inefficiencies in urban logistics, as highlighted by Alan Ng, founder and chief executive of QuikBot Technologies, who said: “Last-mile logistics is one of the most expensive and inefficient segments in the supply chain.” The robots, guided by artificial intelligence, can navigate lifts and access individual floors for contactless deliveries. Following a successful pilot in two commercial areas, the robots are now operational and expected to expand to more locations by the end of 2025.
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SUSTAINABILITY

Empowering Thai youth for a greener future

UOB Thailand, in collaboration with Mindventure Co., Ltd., is launching Wonder Lab: Youth for a Greener Tomorrow, a hands-on sustainability workshop aimed at young individuals aged 15–25. This initiative seeks to equip participants with vital leadership and project development skills to tackle environmental challenges. As UOB strives to address carbon emissions and promote green technologies, the workshop encourages youth to engage with real-world sustainability issues by creating actionable projects.
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INTERNATIONAL

Heatwave deaths highlight worker risks

A record-breaking European heatwave in late June, intensified by climate change, caused over 2,300 deaths across 12 cities, according to a rapid attribution study by Imperial College London and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Researchers concluded that global warming made the event up to 4°C hotter and three times more deadly. An estimated 1,500 of these deaths could have been avoided without climate change. Most fatalities occurred at home or in hospitals, often unrecognised due to overlapping symptoms. While Spain, France, Greece, and Italy are tightening workplace safety rules—such as hydration breaks, schedule adjustments, and outdoor work bans—experts warn these policies are still insufficient. HR leaders should expect increasing regulatory pressure to adapt work conditions and protect employees from extreme heat exposure.
 
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