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APAC Edition
9th September 2025
 
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THE HOT STORY

Many South Korean workers 'sent to the US on questionable documents'

Many South Korean workers were sent to the US on questionable visas, precipitating their detention during the raid at Hyundai's Georgia plant, according to workers, officials and lawyers. Over 300 South Koreans were among 475 individuals arrested in what was the largest enforcement operation by the Department of Homeland Security. Workers were often sent on B-1 business traveler visas, which do not permit work. Park Tae-sung, vice chairman of the Korea Battery Industry Association, said: "It's extremely difficult to get an H-1B visa, which is needed for the battery engineers." The incident has raised concerns about US immigration policies and their impact on South Korean investments. South Korea's foreign minister is set to discuss visa reforms during his visit to Washington.
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TALENT STRATEGY

10 Engagement Lessons From a NYT Bestseller

What if your management playbook is already out of date? The latest guidance comes straight from the New York Times Bestseller Building A Magnetic Culture. Backed by surveys of more than 3 million employees and four decades of leadership insights, it identifies the real drivers of engagement in 2025

A Key Driver Analysis revealed which factors matter most, and in what order. From recognition and communication to trust and accountability, the research highlights ten practical management actions that create stronger cultures and higher-performing teams.

These are not passing trends or leadership clichés. They are evidence-based practices proven to keep employees motivated, loyal, and productive. For HR leaders shaping the future of work, this is essential reading.

Download the bestseller-based blog now

 
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STRATEGY

ANZ to axe 3,500 jobs in restructure

Australian lender ANZ plans to eliminate 3,500 jobs by September 2026 as part of a significant restructuring effort. Chief executive Nuno Matos said: "We are operating in a rapidly evolving and highly competitive banking environment." The changes will also involve reviewing contracts with around 1,000 managed services contractors. "I hate to do this but it's for the future of the company," Matos said of the job cuts. "Those decisions are very tough to take. We don't want to take them because they're going to impact people, our people, their families, and it should be the last resort."
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HIRING

Hiring optimism cools in Singapore

The net employment outlook in Singapore has declined to 20% for the fourth quarter of 2025, according to a survey by ManpowerGroup. This figure is the lowest in over three years and 3% below the global average. Nearly half of the 524 employers surveyed said they plan to maintain staffing levels, while 37% intend to hire. The transport, logistics, and automotive sector showed a positive outlook at 48%, significantly above the global average and largely driven by Singapore's strategic role as a global logistics hub. Linda Teo, country manager at ManpowerGroup Singapore, said: "It remains to be seen whether this momentum will be sustained as global trade dynamics continue to evolve."
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TECHNOLOGY

Grant Thornton Advisors to invest $1bn in AI integration

Grant Thornton Advisors has unveiled plans to invest $1bn over the next three years to integrate advanced artificial intelligence tools and technology across its multinational professional-services platform.  Currently, the firm is in the process of equipping more than 13,500 employees in 60 offices worldwide with Microsoft 365 Copilot. The investment is part of the company’s strategy to develop a technology infrastructure that aligns with market needs and supports its growth. "We’re giving every professional across our multinational platform - from Chicago to Dubai - the kinds of tools they need to work smarter, faster and in keeping with their individual styles," commented Grant Thornton Advisors chief executive Jim Peko.
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WORKFORCE

Remittances to Pakistan increase

In August 2025, remittances to Pakistan increased by 6.6% year-on-year, totalling $3.1bn. The State Bank of Pakistan reported that Saudi Arabia was the largest contributor, sending $736.7m. Cumulative remittances for the first two months of FY 2025–26 reached $6.4bn, a 7% rise from the previous year. Economists highlight that remittances are crucial for stabilising Pakistan's economy, aiding household expenses and supporting foreign exchange reserves.
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CORPORATE

Bidders value Starbucks China at about $5bn

Most of the bidders seeking to buy a portion of Starbucks’ China operations have submitted offers valuing the business at as much as $5bn, according to two people close to the situation. Starbucks invited around 10 potential buyers to submit non-binding bids by early September, Reuters reported last month. Most of those bids set the value for Starbucks China at about 10 times its expected Ebitda of $400m-$500m in 2025, said the sources.
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LEADERSHIP

Special Report: Lessons in Leadership

A new Financial Times series examining common management challenges, including: How should companies navigate hybrid work?, How do you manage Gen Z?, and How do you change a company’s culture?
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INTERNATIONAL

US worker confidence in finding a new job at record low

Polling results published Monday by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York show that American workers' confidence in finding a new job if they lose their current position is at a record low. The perceived probability of finding a new job in the next three months dropped by 5.8 percentage points to 44.9%, the lowest score since the Fed started surveying households on the subject in 2013. The increase in pessimism was seen across all age, education, and income groups, the New York Fed said. The share of consumers saying their financial situations were worse than a year ago rose, as did the share of those expecting a worsening in the future. Expectations for future access to credit deteriorated while perceived chances of missing a minimum debt payment in the next three months rose.

UK sick days hit 15-year high

Sick leave among British workers has reached its highest level in over 15 years, with employees taking an average of nearly two weeks off per year, up from just over one week pre-pandemic. The increase is linked to an ageing workforce and a rise in long-term health conditions, particularly mental health issues causing extended absences. The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development and Simplyhealth are urging employers to foster supportive cultures, offer flexible working, and provide health services to help staff stay in work. The survey found that many employers are taking action, with 66% offering occupational sick pay and 69% providing occupational health schemes.

Regulations governing remote work in Oman

The Ministry of Labour in Oman has introduced new regulations for remote work under Royal Decree No. 2023/53. The rules allow remote work to be conducted partially or fully within Oman, using information and communication technology (ICT) tools. Employers must maintain official lists of remote workers and ensure privacy protection. Employees are required to perform their duties during agreed hours and report technical issues. The regulations also state that employees can disconnect from systems that infringe on their privacy. Employers can mandate on-site work if security or policy breaches occur.

KLM cancels 100 flights after strike announcement

KLM, the Dutch subsidiary of Air France KLM, is set to cancel 100 flights on Wednesday due to a two-hour strike by ground crew, impacting approximately 27,000 passengers. A spokesperson confirmed the cancellations, which follow ongoing labour disputes despite a recent agreement with some unions. The two unions not involved in the agreement are proceeding with strike action.
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OTHER

UK judge: Online shopping at work is not a sackable offence

An employment tribunal in the UK has ruled that an accountancy administrator, named in the judgement as Ms A. Lanuszka, was unfairly dismissed for using her work computer for online shopping. The judge, Michael Magree, found her personal use was "not excessive" and noted that much of the time cited was spent on work-related tasks. Ms Lanuszka had been fired by her employer, Accountancy MK Services, after being monitored by spy software. The tribunal concluded there were no reasonable grounds for the worker's dismissal, and awarded her over £14,000 ($19,000) in compensation.
 
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