Human Times

APAC Edition

15th August 2025

THE HOT STORY

Tariffs, overcapacity squeeze China’s factory wages

Chinese manufacturers, facing high U.S. tariffs and fierce domestic competition, are cutting wages, overtime, and hours to survive, creating hidden underemployment. Kitchen cabinet maker Mike Chai has halved its staff since the pandemic and now asks workers to take unpaid leave, calling it “survival mode.” Many factories turn to temporary contracts to avoid benefits, while pay rates drop for rural migrant workers. Economists warn this wage squeeze fuels deflationary pressure and weakens consumption. Exports to the U.S. have plunged, while shipments to other markets, including Australia, have grown, intensifying local competition.

Reuters

WORKPLACE

HSBC to expand office and staff surveillance

HSBC is to boost surveillance of staff and buildings by adding more cameras and biometric access to its premises globally. Access to the bank's top-tier buildings, including in the UK and the US, is to be based on biometric verification, including full-hand recognition. Access can also be "digital," with staff expected to use their own mobile phones to badge in, according to a presentation document seen by Reuters. An HSBC representative said: "We regularly risk assess every building and dependant on the identified risk and vulnerabilities, we continue to invest in the latest cutting-edge technology to safeguard our colleagues, customers and visitors in line with industry standards."

WORKFORCE

North Korean workers face brutal conditions in Russia

North Korean construction workers in Russia have reported severe exploitation, working 18-hour days with minimal pay. They face dangerous conditions, including inadequate safety measures and bug-infested sleeping quarters. Defectors describe their experience as akin to a labour camp, with one saying: "I felt like I was in a labour camp; a prison without bars." Workers are confined to sites, fearing escape, and endure physical abuse for minor infractions. Reports highlight the dire situation of these labourers, who receive only two days off a year.

South China Morning Post

HIRING

Sri Lanka's public service gets a boost

The Sri Lankan cabinet has approved the recruitment of nearly 62,000 personnel for the public service, as announced by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. The initiative aims to fill critical vacancies within the public sector. The government has urged relevant institutions to expedite the recruitment process.

The Peninsula

LEGAL

Female mediators take on more responsibility in SE Asia conflict zones

Women are increasingly taking on vital roles as mediators in conflict-affected regions of Southeast Asia, particularly in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), which has traditionally been dominated by men. Initiatives like Tupo na Tao sa Laya–Women (TTLAW) have empowered women to intervene in various disputes, earning respect and recognition within their communities, despite facing significant challenges such as lack of formal acknowledgment and safety risks. As these women assert their roles in mediation, they bring unique perspectives and skills that are essential for addressing the emotional complexities of conflicts, ultimately transforming the mediation landscape into a more inclusive and effective process.

Diplomatic Courier

TECHNOLOGY

Robot restaurant wows diners in Beijing

Beijing’s new robot-themed restaurant has opened as part of the E-Town Robot Consumption Festival, featuring humanoid waiters, robotic servers, and a robot band. “It is not only an immersive dining place . . . but also provides a scenario for robot application,” said restaurant head Sun Ling. The festival also launched the Robot Mall, displaying over 50 robot products for sectors from healthcare to retail. JD.com joined with subsidies and discounts, helping drive over 19,000 robot sales and ¥200m in revenue. Experts noted that while robots still have limitations, their growing capabilities are drawing consumer and commercial interest.

Chinadaily US Edition

TAX

Tax agent banned for falsifying claims

Australia's Tax Practitioner Board has banned former Pricewaterhouse Coopers partner Richard Gregg from practising as an agent for four years. The ban follows allegations of falsifying research and development tax credits applications. The board found that Gregg submitted applications that "did not meet the eligibility requirements" and "could not be substantiated." The decision reflects serious breaches of the tax agent services law and the professional code of conduct, highlighting the importance of compliance in tax practices.

Bloomberg Tax

SUSTAINABILITY

No consensus reached on binding plastic treaty at talks in Geneva

No consensus was reached during talks in Geneva on the world's first legally binding treaty to tackle plastic pollution, delegates said on Friday morning. "South Africa is disappointed that it was not possible for this session to agree a legally binding treaty and positions remain far apart," its delegate told a closing meeting of the negotiations early on Friday. Talks between nations to reach a treaty to end plastic pollution continued behind closed doors in Geneva on Thursday evening, the final day of negotiations, as civil society groups called on countries to secure a strong agreement. Negotiations then went into overtime, and ran into Friday.

Reuters

The Guardian

INTERNATIONAL

OPM orders removal of vaccine records

The US Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has instructed federal agencies to delete all records related to employees' COVID-19 vaccination status and any previous noncompliance with vaccine mandates. OPM Director Scott Kupor said: "Things got out of hand during the pandemic, and federal workers were fired, punished, or sidelined for simply making a personal medical decision . . . That should never have happened."

U.S. News

South Africa and ArcelorMittal in talks over fate of mill

South Africa's government is in crisis talks with ArcelorMittal regarding the potential closure of its Newcastle mill, which could impact 3,500 jobs directly and many more in related industries. The mill, which produces essential steel grades for automotive, mining, and construction sectors, is unprofitable and haemorrhaging cash. The trade department said: "The department's objective has been to maintain the country's long-steel capacity." A decision on the mill's fate is expected soon, with a closure date set for 30 September.

Luxembourg Times

Routine AI assistance hits skills of health experts performing colonoscopies

The skill of health professionals performing colonoscopies was significantly undermined by having routine assistance from artificial intelligence, a study of 1,400 patients in Poland has found.

Financial Times

OTHER

China tackles tunnel boom with innovation

China's latest magnetic levitation (maglev) train prototype, capable of speeds up to 600km/h, addresses the "tunnel boom" issue. Researchers found that soundproofing buffers at tunnel mouths can reduce shock waves by up to 96%. This innovation enhances operational safety and passenger comfort while protecting nearby wildlife. The problem of tunnel booms, which can disturb humans and cause structural damage, is exacerbated at higher speeds. The new buffers allow trapped air to escape, suppressing the boom. As a result, future lines may connect major cities like Beijing and Shanghai, significantly reducing travel times.

The Guardian

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