Human Times

APAC Edition

18th September 2025

THE HOT STORY

Wells Fargo banker exits China following detention

Wells Fargo banker Chenyue Mao has been allowed to leave China, after being barred from doing so for several months, following negotiations between US and Chinese officials. The exit ban was linked to a criminal case, with China saying that Mao needed to cooperate with an investigation, but the specifics of her case were not confirmed as part of broader discussions in Madrid regarding trade relations. Mao's release highlights ongoing concerns among foreign executives about the risks of entanglement with Chinese authorities. Mao is one of several foreign business leaders who have faced restrictions in recent years.

Reuters

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LEGAL

Super Retail Group CEO sacked over disclosure failure

Australia's Super Retail Group has terminated chief executive Anthony Heraghty after he failed to disclose a romantic relationship with former HR chief Jane Kelly. The board said that new information revealed Heraghty's previous disclosures were inadequate. Legal action is ongoing, with former legal officers alleging bullying after raising whistleblower complaints about the relationship. The board has also revoked Mr Heraghty's financial incentives. Chief financial officer David Burns will serve as interim CEO while the search for a permanent replacement begins.

South Korea plans to fine employers up to 5% of profit for recurring fatal accidents

South Korea is to introduce a new industrial safety rule that will fine employers with more than three workers dying from workplace accidents each year up to 5% of operating profit. "Industrial accidents cause significant losses to the national economy, not only hurting the lives of people but also damaging the productivity of companies," Labour Minister Kim Young-hoon said. The government also plans to overhaul industrial safety laws to deny licences to construction companies that are repeatedly ordered to suspend work due to fatal accidents.

Reuters

WORKFORCE

Unemployment rate rises among Singapore's younger workers in Q2

In June, Singapore's unemployment rate for residents under 30 reached 5.7%, according to the Ministry of Manpower's Labour Market Report. The figure is an increase from 5.4% in March, despite the overall unemployment rate remaining stable at 2%. Ang Boon Heng, director of the manpower research and statistics department, noted that young people often experience higher unemployment due to increased job search activities. However, 51.9% of this year's fresh graduates have secured jobs, up from 47.9% last year, indicating a positive trend in employment for new entrants.

Business Times SG

STRATEGY

Nissan downsizes amid global restructuring

Nissan Motor will close its design studios in California and São Paulo, while also downsizing operations in London and Japan as part of a restructuring plan aimed at streamlining its global design organisation. This initiative, part of the "Re:Nissan" turnaround strategy, will consolidate design efforts into five main hubs, with Los Angeles becoming the primary US design centre. Although the company has not disclosed the number of jobs affected, the restructuring is expected to be completed by the end of fiscal 2025.

Reuters

TECHNOLOGY

How a former junior lawyer created a $5bn AI legal start-up

The Financial Times profiles Winston Weinberg, co-founder of legal AI company Harvey. The business uses large language models (LLMs) to speed up tasks including document review and legal research.

Financial Times

ECONOMY

Thai consumer confidence plummets to 32-month low

Consumer confidence in Thailand fell for the seventh month in August, reaching its lowest point in 32 months. The consumer sentiment index dropped to 50.1 from 51.7 in July, according to a survey by the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce. President Thanavath Phonvichai noted that the decline reflects concerns over economic recovery and political instability. He said: "The downward trend in consumer confidence could reverse next month", citing optimism surrounding new Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul's government. The economy is projected to grow by 1.8% to 2.3% this year, lagging regional peers.

Bangkok Post

INTERNATIONAL

A third of UK firms use ‘bossware' to monitor activity

Research by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) indicates that a third of UK employers use "bossware" to monitor employee activities, including emails and web browsing. The survey suggests a rise in workplace surveillance, with one in seven employers recording screen activity. While some managers believe monitoring prevents insider threats, many express concerns about trust and privacy. The CMI study found that more than half (53%) of managers support monitoring of employees' online activities on employer-owned devices, while 42% oppose it. Petra Wilton, the CMI's director of policy and external affairs, said: "If it is being used, it is incredibly important employers are open." The Information Commissioner's Office has warned that excessive monitoring can infringe on privacy rights, especially for remote workers.

The Guardian

American brands stress European ties

The Wall Street Journal explores how major US brands including Coca-Cola, McDonald’s and Procter & Gamble are playing down their American roots in Europe, highlighting local sourcing, jobs and investment instead. Coca-Cola has launched a "Made in Germany" campaign, stressing that 97% of its drinks sold locally are produced there and showcasing employee stories, while also celebrating 125 years in the UK with a documentary on corner shops. McDonald’s emphasised its €3bn German investment and local ingredients, while P&G highlighted its 10 German plants and research centres. The WSJ suggests the shift comes amid rising anti-American sentiment linked to Donald Trump’s tariffs and foreign policy, with surveys suggesting European consumers could shy away from US brands.

The Wall Street Journal

Portuguese labour law change criticised by unions

Portugal's minority centre-right government has launched a significant overhaul of labour laws aimed at enhancing competitiveness by making dismissals easier and increasing flexibility in working hours, a move that has drawn criticism from unions for undermining workers' rights. The proposed reforms, which involve amending over 100 articles of the labour code, are intended to address structural weaknesses in the economy and improve productivity, although they face opposition from major labour unions who threaten a general strike if the government proceeds. The bill is expected to pass in parliament with support from the far-right Chega party, despite opposition from the Socialists.

Reuters

North Face cuts 80% of its orders from long-time supplier

Türkiye's textile sector has suffered another loss after North Face decided to cut 80% of its orders from long-time supplier Gelisim Tekstil, shifting the majority of production to Vietnam and Bangladesh. Global brands have been deserting Türkiye due to rising costs, with price differences reaching up to 100% compared to Far East competitors. Gelisim currently employs 1,200 staff, but these developments could see numbers drop by half, said Mustafa Akcay, chairman of Gelisim Tekstil's board of directors

Türkiye Today

OTHER

World-first koala chlamydia vaccine is approved for use

Australia has approved a vaccine to protect koalas from chlamydia, a disease that is responsible for up to 50% of their deaths in the wild. Developed by Peter Timms and his team at the University of the Sunshine Coast, the single-dose vaccine aims to reduce symptoms and mortality rates by at least 65%. Timms said: "[The vaccine] offers three levels of protection - reducing infection, preventing progression to clinical disease and, in some cases, reversing existing symptoms." The Australian government has allocated A$76m to koala conservation efforts as their populations continue to decline.

Sydney Morning Herald

U.S. News

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