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APAC Edition
16th July 2025
 
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THE HOT STORY

UAW strengthens ties with Korean unions

The recent deployment of United Auto Workers (UAW) leaders to Korea suggests that union influence could become stronger with respect to joint ventures between Korean battery manufacturers and US automakers. The US labour union representing workers in the automotive industry met peers at Samsung SDI and WCP to discuss unionisation of workers in the battery sector. In solidarity with the Korean Metal Workers' Union (KMWU), the UAW appears to be increasing pressure on BlueOval SK, the joint venture between SK On and Ford Motor, which remains the only union-free company among the joint ventures between Korean battery manufacturers and US carmakers.
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HYBRID WORKING

Starbucks corporate staff must work in the office four days a week

Starbucks has told its corporate staff they must work in the office for four days a week or take a payment and quit. Workers will be expected to be in the office between Monday and Thursday starting in October, up from a previous requirement that staff come in for three days. Starbucks workers who choose not to comply with the new policy, which applies to the US. and Canada, will be offered a one-time payout if they decide to leave. Brian Niccol, chief executive at Starbucks, said the change would help the firm do its "best work" as it faces falling sales and other challenges. "We understand not everyone will agree with this approach," Niccol wrote in a company blog. "We've listened and thought carefully. But as a company built on human connection, and given the scale of the turnaround ahead, we believe this is the right path for Starbucks," he said. As part of the move, the company will require certain managers to relocate to Seattle, where Starbucks is headquartered, or Toronto.
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HIRING

Job openings in Korea reach new low

In June, the job openings per job-seeker in Korea reached their lowest level since the 1997 Asian financial crisis, with only 151,000 new openings reported, a decline of 11.2% year-on-year. The number of job seekers rose to 387,000, resulting in a job openings-to-applicants ratio of 0.39, meaning just 39 jobs for every 100 seekers. The trend highlights a significant shortage of quality jobs, despite a record employment rate of 63.8% in May. The decline in job openings is attributed to prolonged economic slowdown, rising labour costs, and increased automation. A director at the Labour Ministry commented: "Still, many uncertainties at home and abroad are gradually being resolved." The situation may improve, with forecasts suggesting a potential recovery in job postings. However, the upcoming minimum wage increase could further impact low-skilled service sectors.

Singapore ranks among top cities for tech talent

Singapore has emerged as a significant player in the global tech talent race, ranking fourth in a recent report by real estate company Colliers. The report highlights that Singapore is the only non-Indian city in the top five, driven by strong hiring and a high volume of job postings in key tech roles, particularly in artificial intelligence (AI). Mike Davis, Colliers' managing director of occupier services for Apac, observed: “Apac is drawing significant global attention for its unmatched tech talent density.” The demand for AI-related expertise has surged, with job listings requiring AI skills increasing by 68% since the launch of ChatGPT, while traditional IT postings have declined by 27%. The competition for data scientists and information security analysts is particularly fierce, with demand for data scientists expected to grow by 36% through 2032.
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STRATEGY

Nissan to shut Oppama facility

Nissan Motor Co has announced that it will cease vehicle production at its Oppama plant in Japan by March 2028, shifting operations to its Fukuoka factory as part of a global restructuring strategy aimed at reducing production capacity. Chief executive Ivan Espinosa described the decision as "tough but necessary," emphasising its importance for overcoming current challenges and ensuring a sustainable future for the company.
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RISK

Nvidia CEO advised on meetings ahead of China trip

US Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Jim Banks (R-IN) have cautioned Nvidia chief executive  Jensen Huang against meeting with companies in China that may undermine US chip export controls during his upcoming trip. They expressed concerns that such meetings could legitimise firms collaborating with the Chinese military and emphasised the importance of adhering to export restrictions. Nvidia, meanwhile, is preparing to launch more affordable AI chips for the Chinese market, which has raised further alarms among lawmakers regarding national security implications.
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LEGAL

Qatar and Indonesia strengthen labour ties

In Jakarta, HE Sheikha Najwa bint Abdulrahman Al-Thani, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Labour, engaged in discussions with HE Abdul Kadir Karding, Minister of Migrant Workers Protection, to enhance bilateral cooperation between Qatar and Indonesia. The meetings also included Deputy Minister Dzulfikar Ahmad Tawalla and Dwi Setiawan Susanto, Director General of Promotion and Overseas Employment Opportunity Utilisation. The focus was on developing labour relations and establishing mechanisms for recruiting skilled Indonesian workers to meet Qatar's evolving labour market needs.
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HEALTH & WELLBEING

US funding cuts threaten HIV fight

A new report from the United Nations AIDS agency (UNAIDS) warns that the withdrawal of US funding for global HIV efforts could result in over 4m AIDS-related deaths and 6m new HIV infections by 2029 if not replaced. The report highlights that the funding cuts have already caused a "systemic shock," destabilising supply chains and leading to the closure of health facilities. Kate Rees, a public health physician at the Anova Health Institute, said: "It really only takes a couple of weeks to dismantle something that has been built over more than twenty years." The cuts threaten vital programmes, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, where the majority of HIV cases are concentrated. UNAIDS emphasises the need for strong multilateral cooperation to prevent reversing decades of progress against AIDS.
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INTERNATIONAL

Trump officials say immigration raids will intensify

The Los Angeles Times reports that Trump Administration immigration sweeps show no signs of slowing despite lawsuits, a court order and growing signs the aggressive actions are not popular with the public. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has announced plans to escalate enforcement, citing a $150bn funding boost from the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act”; however, a recent Gallup poll indicates declining support for strict immigration measures, with only 30% of Americans favoring reduced immigration. Legal challenges are mounting, including a ruling by U.S. District Judge Maame Ewusi-Mensah Frimpong that temporarily blocks racial profiling in arrests. The White House has defended its actions, stating: “No federal judge has the authority to dictate immigration policy - that authority rests with Congress and the President.” 

Loro Piana placed under court administration over alleged worker exploitation

A Milan court has placed LVMH-owned luxury label Loro Piana under judicial oversight for 12 months for subcontracting production to suppliers that allegedly exploited migrant workers. The court said Loro Piana had handed the production of apparel, including jackets, to Evergreen Fashion Group. In some Italian factories, working hours largely exceeded the eight-hour legal standard, employees slept on shop floors and were paid a fraction of Italy’s legal minimum. The order means that a court will appoint a special administrator to oversee the company’s business and will be tasked to clean up the production process. The brand is not under criminal investigation. The decision by prosecutors at the Milan Tribunal marks the fifth intervention into working conditions in the luxury-goods industry in recent years, following similar probes into a unit of Giorgio Armani and other companies such as Valentino Bags Lab, Manufactures Dior and handbag firm Alviero Martini.
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OTHER

Tokyo sells rare early saury batch

The season's first saury batch arrived over a month early at Tokyo’s Toyosu market, with large fish fetching up to ¥300,000 ($2,041) per kilogram. Landed at Kushiro Port in Hokkaido, the shipment totalled just 50 kg - down sharply from last year’s 42-tonne first batch. Some rare large fish weighed 170g each, a significant size compared to recent years. Intermediate wholesaler Despite lower volume and high prices, the early arrival raises hopes for better catches ahead after years of scarcity.
 
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