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APAC Edition
16th October 2025
 
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THE HOT STORY

RBA economist blames employers for productivity woes

Sarah Hunter, the Reserve Bank of Australia's assistant governor, has attributed the nation's productivity issues to employers' reluctance to invest in new technology. Speaking at the Citi Australia and New Zealand Investment Conference, she noted that declining business and labour market dynamism has hindered the movement of capital and labour to more productive firms. Hunter said: "Productivity growth allows us to produce more than we could before," emphasising its importance for sustainable wage growth. The International Monetary Fund has warned that Australia may face inflation challenges in 2026, exacerbated by weak productivity growth.
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WORKFORCE

India's job market surges ahead

India's job market is on the rise, with a projected 4.4% increase in net employment, according to the Employment Outlook Report by TeamLease Services. E-commerce and tech start-ups are leading this growth, with forecasts of 11.3% and 10.8% for logistics and retail, respectively. Balasubramanian A, senior vice president at TeamLease, noted a shift towards skill-focused hiring strategies. Over 56% of employers plan to expand their workforce, while essential skills like communication and critical thinking are in high demand. Government initiatives are also supporting workforce formalisation.

AI disrupts India’s back office

India’s IT sector is undergoing rapid transformation as generative AI tools, like those developed by start-ups such as LimeChat, replace customer-service roles. LimeChat claims its bots reduce support staffing needs by 80%, with co-founder Nikhil Gupta saying: "Once you hire a LimeChat agent, you never have to hire again." Despite consumer preference for human interaction, AI adoption is surging, leading to fewer job opportunities in traditional support roles. Industry experts, like Neeti Sharma of TeamLease Digital, report a sharp hiring slowdown. Critics, including academic Santosh Mehrotra, warn of poor government planning. Displaced workers, like Megha S., face rising job insecurity without adequate support.

Thai labour market faces tough times

The Thai labour market is facing significant challenges as new graduates increasingly prefer freelancing over full-time employment, particularly in factory roles. Tanit Sorat, vice-chairman of the Employers' Confederation of Thai Trade and Industry, noted that many young people seek flexibility in their work. Meanwhile, existing employees are anxious about job security, with a report from the Economic Intelligence Center revealing that 5m workers are at high risk of job losses due to US tariffs. Unemployment rates, especially among young workers and degree holders, have also risen, highlighting ongoing economic vulnerabilities.

KBank's bold move to cut costs

Thailand's KBank has launched an early retirement programme to reduce employee costs by 10%-20% over five years, according to chief executive Kattiya Indaravijaya. The voluntary scheme, available to employees aged 45 and older, aims to lower personnel expenses, which currently account for 51% of total operating costs. KBank plans to cut its branch network by 10-20 branches annually, responding to the rise in digital banking, where mobile transactions surged to 94.5%. Chongrak Rattanapian, co-president, stated: "We aim to maintain our cost-to-income ratio in the low 40% range." The bank currently employs about 18,300 staff.

Sanitation workers fight age cap

Sanitation workers in Indian government hospitals are protesting against a new age limit that terminates their contracts at 50. They demand the age cap be raised to 62, similar to other departments. Raja Reddy, a member of the AP medical contract employees and workers union, stated: "This is completely unjust, putting the jobs of over 1,000 sanitation workers aged above 50 years at stake." The union argues that the new guidelines unfairly target older workers, despite their long service. Currently, these workers earn Rs 18,600 monthly, including benefits.
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HIRING

China raises hiring age limit

China's government has increased the maximum hiring age for some civil service roles from 35 to 43. This change aims to combat age discrimination in the job market, where many older workers have faced challenges. The new recruitment plan, published by the central government, also raises the age cap for other candidates to 38. This adjustment follows local government initiatives and comes amid a competitive labour market. "Public calls to eliminate rigid age barriers in government hiring are growing," a spokesperson noted. Additionally, China plans to gradually raise the retirement age to address population ageing.
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DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION

China champions women's rights at summit

China hosted the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women to mark the 30th anniversary of the Beijing women's conference. President Xi Jinping highlighted women's crucial role in social progress and proposed four actions for global cooperation on gender equality. He noted that since 2013, targeted poverty alleviation has lifted millions of women out of poverty. Women now represent over half of higher education students and 42.3% of judges in China. Xi announced new commitments, including $10m to UN Women and $100m for women's programmes, aiming to enhance global women's development.

BAE Systems leads the charge for women

BAE Systems has made significant strides in female representation within its leadership. Karin Hoeing, the director of culture and business transformation, noted her unique background helped her integrate into the predominantly male executive committee. The company now boasts five women among its twelve executives, earning it the 25th spot on Forbes' list of the World's Top Companies for Women 2025. Despite progress, challenges remain, with only 8.5% of chief executives in the S&P 500 being women. Hoeing emphasised the importance of role models in leadership for inspiring future female leaders.
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WORKPLACE

Sexual harassment persists in Australia

New analysis from Burke Mangan Lawyers reveals that one in three Australian workers have experienced sexual harassment in the past five years. Despite legal reforms, only 18% of victims report incidents, with many stating that nothing changes afterwards. The report, The Reality of Workplace Sexual Harassment in Australia (2025), highlights that harassment is particularly prevalent in male-dominated industries. Lyndon Burke, founding partner, noted: "Despite more than a decade of reform and awareness, the numbers remain stubbornly high." The report calls for stronger prevention measures and better reporting systems.

Bank manager's harsh sick leave response sparks outrage

A Reddit post has ignited discussions about toxic workplace culture in India after a bank manager's harsh response to an employee's sick leave request went viral. The employee, suffering from a suspected haemorrhoids diagnosis, requested a day off but received no initial response. When they followed up, the manager warned of a "loss of pay" instead of showing empathy. The employee shared a medical prescription but was met with reprimands. Online users condemned the manager's lack of support, urging the employee to escalate the issue to HR and seek better job opportunities.
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ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

AI transforms workplace performance management

AI is reshaping performance management in organisations, moving away from traditional methods. Executives from companies like Headspace and BambooHR highlight that AI removes psychological barriers to honest feedback. This technology enables continuous development rather than annual evaluations, allowing for real-time insights into employee performance. Smaller, capable teams are becoming the norm, as AI handles routine tasks. The focus is now on enhancing manager capabilities, which are crucial for organisational success. As Sarah Franklin from Lattice noted: "We need to hold ourselves deeply accountable for what the AI is doing and why."
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LEGAL

Job scams lure young Koreans abroad

A surge in online job postings promising lucrative overseas part-time work is ensnaring young Koreans in voice phishing schemes. Despite warnings following a tragic incident in Cambodia, ads continue to flood social media, offering enticing salaries and benefits. Recruiters openly admit the illegal nature of the work, claiming safety and profitability. They demand personal information from applicants, further exposing them to risks. Experts highlight the need for better monitoring and institutional safeguards to protect job seekers. Lee Byoung-hoon, a sociology professor, warned: "Chasing unrealistic profits can lead to crime or becoming a victim of one."
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HEALTH & SAFETY

Window cleaning safety under scrutiny

Recent parliamentary questions have emerged following the death of a domestic worker in Singapore, prompting MPs to inquire about window cleaning safety regulations. The Ministry of Manpower reported that an average of 15 employers faced enforcement actions yearly for unsafe practices from 2015 to 2024, an increase from 12 between 2016 and 2020. Minister for Manpower Tan See Leng stated: "We will continue to monitor such incidents and step up education and enforcement if necessary." Current regulations require strict safety measures, including supervision and locked window grilles during cleaning.
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SUSTAINABILITY

UOL Group's sustainability journey evolves

UOL Group has significantly advanced its sustainability efforts over the past decade, transitioning from basic green building certifications to comprehensive climate resilience planning. Yeong Sien Seu, UOL's chief legal and sustainability officer, stated: "Sustainability is not static – it's a living, evolving journey." The company integrates sustainability into all business aspects, including architecture and operations. UOL aims for at least BCA Green Mark Gold Plus certification for new projects and has achieved a 15% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions since 2019. UOL's commitment to sustainability enhances brand equity and operational efficiency.
 
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