Human Times

APAC Edition

5th September 2025

THE HOT STORY

IT hiring slowdown hits India

India's IT sector is facing a hiring slowdown, particularly in legacy technology roles, due to global economic uncertainties and increased US tariffs. A report from Teamlease indicates a 10% drop in overall hiring in the outsourcing sector from July to August. While demand for legacy tech jobs has decreased by 2%–3%, roles in artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), cloud, data, and cybersecurity remain robust. Neeti Sharma, chief executive of Teamlease Digital, said: "Companies are hiring in higher numbers for skills in cloud, data, cybersecurity and AI/ML coding." The September quarter is expected to be weaker than anticipated.

The Times of India

CYBERSECURITY

North Korean hackers target job seekers

North Korean hackers are increasingly targeting the cryptocurrency sector with fake job offers, according to a report by cybersecurity firms SentinelOne and Validin. Experts confirm that these scams are widespread, with many applicants now screening recruiters for signs of deception. Carlos Yanez, a blockchain executive, noted the improved sophistication of these scams. Last year, North Korean hackers reportedly stole $1.34bn in cryptocurrency. The FBI has previously warned about these tactics, which include fake interviews and requests for video submissions.

Yahoo News Australia

WORKFORCE

Employment dip in India's unincorporated sector

Employment in India's unincorporated sector fell to 12.9 crore in the April-June 2025 quarter, down from 13.1 crore in the previous quarter, according to the National Statistics Office (NSO). This decline is attributed to fewer hired workers and weaker manufacturing performance. Despite the drop, employment levels remain above the 2023-24 annual estimate of over 12 crore workers. The share of working owners increased from 58.3% to 60.2%, indicating a shift towards self-employment. The rural workforce also grew, rising from 6 crore to 6.3 crore. NSO noted: "Digitisation trends strengthened, with net use among enterprises climbing from 34% to 36%."

The Times of India

ConocoPhillips to cut thousands of jobs

ConocoPhillips plans to lay off up to 25% of its workforce, affecting between 2,600 and 3,250 employees globally. The company, which has around 13,000 workers, confirmed the layoffs as part of cost-cutting measures. A spokesperson stated: "We are always looking at how we can be more efficient with the resources we have." The majority of reductions are expected before the end of 2025. ConocoPhillips reported second-quarter earnings of $1.97bn, down from $2.33bn a year earlier, and has identified over $1bn in cost reductions.

U.S. News

Job security fears in Korea's shipbuilding sector

Workers in Korea and the US are worried about job security due to the Make American Shipbuilding Great Again (MASGA) project, a $150bn initiative. Korean workers fear President Donald Trump's push for local shipbuilding could threaten their jobs. The Korean Metal Workers' Union stated: "If technologies and skilled workforce are transferred to the US, the livelihoods of Korean workers will be threatened." In the US, opposition is growing against MASGA, with Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) urging the president to prioritise American workers and avoid outsourcing ship construction.

The Korea Times

Tipping trend shakes up Japan's hospitality

Japan is experiencing a shift in its hospitality norms as tipping becomes more common among foreign tourists. With over 21.5m visitors in the first half of the year, restaurants like Gyukatsu Motomura have introduced tip boxes to manage gratuities, which are considered taxable income. Takashi Waki, owner of Yakitori Smith, noted that tips enhance staff morale. However, many locals remain resistant to this change, fearing it could disrupt traditional values. Yoshiyuki Ishizaki, a tourism marketing professor, emphasised the need for a cultural shift regarding service costs in Japan.

South China Morning Post

WORKPLACE

Korea cracks down on wage theft

The South Korean Government is launching a four-week crackdown on high-risk farms and factories to protect foreign workers from unpaid wages and workplace abuse. The Ministry of Employment and Labor reported that unpaid wages owed to foreign workers reached 85.5bn won ($61.3m), a 51% increase from last year. Inspections will target businesses employing large numbers of migrant workers, with a focus on overdue wages and rights abuses. Labour Minister Kim Young-hoon stated: "We will make every effort to root out labour rights violations against foreign workers." The initiative follows alarming incidents that have raised public concern.

The Korea Times

LEGAL

Australian construction industry demands tougher standards

Builders and contractors are advocating for stricter standards to eliminate organised crime from Australia's construction sector. Mark Irving, CFMEU administrator, highlighted that some employers ignore bikie-controlled companies. He called for a fit-and-proper-person test for employer representatives and better-resourced regulators to combat criminal activities. Nicholas Proud, chief executive of the Civil Contractors Federation, emphasised the need for an independent regulator to oversee both unions and employers. Denita Wawn, MBA chief executive, stated that the industry must be free from criminality and corruption, urging for a robust system to ensure compliance.

Financial Review

LEADERSHIP

Slater and Gordon faces leadership crisis

Slater and Gordon has lost its third chief people officer in over a year, highlighting ongoing instability within the firm. Julie Catanach resigned after receiving a damaging email that exposed workplace grievances and personal details of staff. Jess Sherlock will temporarily fill the role while a permanent replacement is sought. The firm faces multiple lawsuits, including one from former CPO Mari Ruiz-Matthyssen, who alleges the firm knew about a convicted fraudster in payroll. Employee satisfaction has plummeted below 30%, raising concerns about the internal culture. A spokesperson claimed the firm values employee feedback and is addressing survey results.

Financial Review

REMUNERATION

SK hynix ends wage standoff with union

SK hynix has finalised a wage agreement after three months of negotiations, securing a 6% wage increase and removing the cap on performance-based bonuses. The new policy allocates 10% of the company's annual operating profit as bonuses, with each employee expected to receive around 100m won this year. The agreement, approved by 95.4% of union representatives, links company performance to individual compensation. SK hynix stated: "This agreement clearly and transparently establishes a link between company performance and individual compensation." The deal is expected to influence other companies, including Samsung Electronics.

Korea Joongang Daily

University leader's pay rise amid decline

Professor Tyrone Carlin, vice chancellor of Southern Cross University, received a $240,000 pay rise over three years, bringing his total remuneration to $1m. This increase occurred despite the university's decline in global rankings and a significant drop in student applications, from 2,002 in 2021 to just 1,263 in 2025. Critics, including Tony Sheldon, chair of the Senate committee for education, have condemned the high salaries amid poor performance. A Southern Cross spokeswoman defended Carlin's pay, stating it reflects his achievements in improving research and student outcomes.

Financial Review

HIRING

Seoul's global talent challenge intensifies

Officials in Seoul are addressing the urgent need to attract and retain global talent. Kim Su-deok, from the Seoul Metropolitan Government, highlighted the city's rising appeal due to cultural phenomena like Squid Games. However, competition for skilled workers is fierce. Lee Jong-cheol from the Justice Ministry stated that easing visa restrictions is crucial for integrating foreign professionals. He noted that many international students struggle to find jobs due to mismatched qualifications. The city is expanding initiatives like the Seoul Tech Scholarship and hosting job fairs to improve opportunities for foreign residents.

Korea Joongang Daily

PRODUCTIVITY

Clock botching: The new workplace trend

“Clock botching” is a rising trend where employees appear busy but fail to produce meaningful results. Ryan Zhang, chief executive of Notta.ai, explains that this behaviour stems from burnout and disengagement, not laziness. He said: “Clock botching occurs when employees are physically there but emotionally gone.” This trend can lead to decreased productivity and morale, affecting entire teams. Alari Aho, CEO of Toggl Hire, warns that ignoring early signs of disengagement risks spreading the issue. Companies should focus on addressing the root causes to improve employee engagement and retention.

Forbes

TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT

Tackling complex social issues head-on

Singapore Education Minister Desmond Lee has highlighted the growing complexity of social issues in the country during the launch of the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) new School of Social Work and Social Development. He stated that challenges such as an ageing population and mental health pressures are interconnected. The new curriculum aims to address workforce shortages and includes specialisations in areas like eldercare and family social work. Lee emphasised the importance of partnerships and evidence-based research in developing effective solutions, stating: "Good solutions rarely emerge in isolation." The school plans to expand its enrolment and enhance practicum experiences for students.

Straits Times

ST Engineering trains 4,000 in AI

ST Engineering is to train 4,000 engineers and project managers in AI to enhance their work efficiency. The training will occur at the company's digital academy and specialist institutes, including the National University of Singapore. Minister for Digital Development and Information Josephine Teo stated that these workers will become "bilingual," combining their domain expertise with AI skills. ST Engineering also plans to hire 1,000 AI specialists in the coming years to develop customised AI systems and enhance cybersecurity. Teo emphasised the importance of collaboration between AI practitioners and domain experts for meaningful improvements.

Business Times SG

Straits Times

SMU launches new cybersecurity track

Singapore Management University (SMU) has introduced a new Cybersecurity track within its Master of IT in Business (MITB) programme. This initiative aims to address the growing demand for cybersecurity professionals, which has surged due to an expanding digital economy. Prof Pang Hwee Hwa stated: "Our new Cybersecurity track is designed to cultivate leaders who can turn technical expertise into strategic impact." The programme combines technical training with business education, preparing graduates for leadership roles. Applications for the new track will open on 1 January 2026 for the August 2026 intake.

Straits Times

TECHNOLOGY

DeepL launches AI agent to transform workflows

DeepL has introduced DeepL Agent, an autonomous AI designed to automate various knowledge worker tasks. Currently in beta testing, it aims to enhance productivity by handling repetitive tasks across multiple business functions. Chief executive Jarek Kutylowski stated: "This is an exciting natural next step for DeepL in our mission to solve real-world challenges with purpose-built AI." The agent operates within users' digital environments, responding to natural language commands. It is built with safeguards to ensure quality and security, allowing for real-time oversight and control by management. General availability is expected soon.

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