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APAC Edition
6th October 2025
 
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THE HOT STORY

Samsung enhances foreign language incentives

Samsung Electronics is to introduce new language incentives to boost employees' global skills. The company will introduce three new top tiers to its existing four-level assessment. Employees achieving these new levels will receive incentives of between 200,000 won ($142) and 500,000 won. Language proficiency will be evaluated through external tests in English, Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, Russian, and Spanish. Additionally, Samsung will cover exam fees for employees up to twice a year. Chair Lee Jae-yong highlighted the importance of foreign language skills, observing that learning a foreign language aids people's understanding of a country's mindset, values and history.
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HIRING

Myanmar refugees now eligible for work in Thailand

Myanmar nationals in refugee camps can now apply for work permits, Thailand's Ministry of Labour has said. The initiative follows a cabinet resolution passed on August 26 that is aimed at addressing labour shortages. Labour Minister Trinuch Thienthong said that the resolution allows refugees to legally participate in the economy. Approximately 42,601 refugees aged 18-59 are eligible; 12,000 have expressed an interest in employment. Employers have registered over 6,000 job vacancies, primarily in construction, agriculture, and food production. Pichet Thongphan, director-general of the Department of Employment, highlighted the need for compliance with procedural requirements.

China’s visa scheme for global tech workers draws backlash at home

China’s launch of a tech visa to attract technology workers has immediately sparked opposition at home as young Chinese voice concern over more competition in the deteriorating local labour market.
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WORKFORCE

Incheon airport's security workers refuse overtime during holiday

Incheon International Airport in South Korea anticipates severe passenger congestion during the extended Chuseok holiday (Sun, 5 Oct 2025 - Wed, 8 Oct 2025). The airport's security screening workers, part of Incheon International Airport Security, will not work overtime, as they call for better conditions and increased staffing. Meanwhile, about 2,000 unionised workers at 15 airports, including Incheon, are on indefinite strike, advocating for improved working conditions.
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LEGAL

Shein fails on human rights, says OECD

Shein has been accused by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) of failing to meet international guidelines on human rights, wages, and environmental standards. France's National Contact Point found that the fast-fashion retailer does not comply with France’s Anti-Waste Law for a Circular Economy and criticised its lack of transparency on factory audits, supply chains, and social and environmental impacts. The company faces scrutiny over labour conditions, use of Xinjiang cotton, and corporate governance, which has contributed to delays in its planned London stock market listing.
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CYBERSECURITY

Japan faces Asahi beer shortage after cyber-attack

Japan is facing a shortage of Asahi products, including beer and bottled tea, as the drinks giant grapples with the impact of a major cyber-attack on its ordering and delivery systems that has brought most of its factories to a standstill. Major retailers, including 7-Eleven and FamilyMart, have warned customers to expect shortages of Asahi products. The company began processing orders for some products on Wednesday by visiting customers in person and handwriting orders, it said. While it continues to take orders for food and soft drinks, it has not taken further orders for alcoholic beverages to prioritise outgoing shipments.

Oracle confirms ransom emails to clients

Oracle has acknowledged that E-Business Suite users have received extortion emails, validating a Google alert about a widespread hacking campaign. The attackers may have exploited known software vulnerabilities, and Oracle has urged users to upgrade systems. Google called the campaign “high volume” but offered no specifics. The cl0p ransomware group, linked to Russia and known for evolving tactics, claimed Oracle had “bugged up,” but withheld further comment. Oracle has not disclosed how many customers were affected.
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ECONOMY

Consumer prices surge in South Korea

South Korea's consumer prices increased by 2.1% in September, marking a return to the 2% inflation range. The rise is attributed to higher costs of essential food items, according to data from the Ministry of Data and Statistics. Inflation had previously exceeded the Bank of Korea's 2% target for four months before dipping to 1.9% in May. Core inflation, which excludes food and energy, rose to 2% in September, up from 1.3% in August. The service sector also reported a 2.2% year-on-year increase.
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INTERNATIONAL

Layoffs across the US at highest level in five years

Employers across the US cut nearly 950,000 jobs this year through September, the largest number of layoffs since 2020, according to a report published on Thursday from global outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas. Companies last month announced plans to add 117,313 jobs, down 71% from a year earlier and marking the weakest September for hiring intentions since 2011. The report also noted a major slowdown in seasonal hiring plans compared to recent years. Hiring plans so far this year have totaled 204,939, the lowest year-to-date since 2009 when the economy was just emerging from the Great Recession. 

Strikes held across France against spending cuts

A nationwide strike called yesterday by France's major labour unions is the latest in a series of protests that started last month. The unions want Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu to ditch draft budget measures proposed by his predecessor, including social welfare freezes and austerity measures. Protesters took to the streets of more than 200 towns and cities. In Paris, at least 24,000 workers, retirees and students started marching from Place d'Italie. “The social anger is extremely strong,” CGT union leader Sophie Binet told French TV BFMTV.

Mass protests and strikes in Madagascar

Protests in Madagascar have intensified as thousands demand President Andry Rajoelina's resignation. Demonstrators staged strikes and marches, citing misgovernance and ongoing water and power cuts. Police clashed with protesters in Antananarivo, where around 10,000 people had gathered. At least 22 people have died amid the unrest, according to the UN.

Former Deutsche Bank employees sue German lender

Five former Deutsche Bank employees are suing their ex-employer in London's High Court. The five were among a group of Deutsche bankers who were convicted in 2019, and then acquitted in 2022, over derivative deals that Italian prosecutors said helped Italian lender Monte dei Paschi hide losses in one of Italy's biggest financial scandals. Deutsche Bank said it was "aware that five individuals have threatened to file claims in the UK in the context of this matter. Deutsche Bank considers all such claims to be entirely without merit and will defend itself against them robustly."
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OTHER

Australia sunscreen scandal grows as more products pulled off shelves

A sunscreen scandal in Australia is continuing to grow, with 18 products now pulled from shelves in the skin cancer hotspot over safety concerns. Analysis by a consumer advocacy group in June found several popular and expensive sunscreens did not provide the protection claimed by their makers. One product, Ultra Violette's Lean Screen Skinscreen, is supposed to offer a skin protection factor (SPF) of 50+ but instead returned a result of SPF 4 and was voluntarily recalled in August. Meanwhile, two former employees of the Princeton Consumer Research (PCR) testing laboratory have alleged that the firm's SPF testing lacks accuracy and integrity. Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration said it has "written to PCR Corp regarding its concerns and has not received a response".
 
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