Human Times

APAC Edition

18th December 2025

THE HOT STORY

Illegally sacked Qantas workers to get millions

More than 1,700 Qantas ground staff who were unlawfully dismissed during the Covid pandemic will share a A$40m payout. The Federal Court found that Qantas acted against the Fair Work Act by replacing staff with outsourced contractors. Justice Michael Lee said: "To deprive someone of work illegally is to deprive a person of an aspect of their human dignity." The airline was ordered to pay A$120m in compensation and an additional A$90m penalty, of which A$50m goes to the Transport Workers' Union. TWU national secretary Michael Kaine described the case as a "David and Goliath" battle. “Illegally outsourced Qantas workers can now finally begin to move on,” he said. “These workers loved their jobs, and this . . . A$40m from the largest-ever penalty on an employer will go a long way towards compensating them for the damage Qantas inflicted on their lives.”

Yahoo News Australia

LEGAL

Labour codes set to empower women in India

The All India Organisation of Employers (AIOE) has released a white paper titled "Breaking the Glass Ceiling: How the Labour Codes Boost Women's Participation in India's Workforce." It highlights that the new labour codes, effective from November 21, 2025, aim to enhance women's workforce participation by making employment safer and more accessible. The female labour force participation rate has risen from 23.3% in 2017-18 to 41.7% in 2023-24. The paper emphasises that while the reforms are promising, their success relies on effective implementation by employers and supportive institutions, not just legislation.

TimesofOman

WORKFORCE

China creates over 12m new urban jobs this year

China created 12.1m new urban jobs in the first 11 months of 2025, according to the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security. The average urban unemployment rate stood at 5.2%. This stability is attributed to pro-employment policies aimed at ensuring job security across key areas. An official from the ministry's employment promotion department said: "Next steps will involve measures to stabilise and expand employment while improving job quality." The focus will be on enhancing vocational training and optimising public employment services to better match job seekers with opportunities.

Chinadaily US Edition

STRATEGY

King & Wood Mallesons to split

Sino-Australian international law firm King & Wood Mallesons (KWM) is set to split next year. Leading Australian firm Mallesons Stephen Jaques combined with China’s King & Wood to form KWM in 2012. From 31 March 2026 the Chinese and Australian partnerships will operate respectively as King & Wood and Mallesons under independent brands, with the Hong Kong partnership operating as King & Wood.

Law

Global Legal Post

Legal Business

TECHNOLOGY

Unitree unveils humanoid robot 'app store' ahead of $7bn IPO bid

Unitree Robotics, the Hangzhou-based humanoid and quadruped robot maker, has launched what it calls the world’s first humanoid robot “app store” - a smartphone-accessible developer platform for controlling and training robots. The Unitree Robotics Developer Platform allows users to upload, download, and share training datasets and action sequences, with features including phone-based remote control and routines like martial arts or ballet. The move comes as Unitree targets a $7bn IPO on Shanghai’s Star Market following a pre-listing tutoring process.

South China Morning Post

REGULATION

Australian markets regulator fines top retailers for late reports

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has fined 12 major retailers, including White Fox and Grill'd, a total of A$2.2m ($14.6m) for failing to submit their financial year 2024 audited reports on time. ASIC commissioner Kate O'Rourke said that large businesses must comply with financial reporting obligations to aid informed decision-making. The fines stem from the Corporations Act, which mandates timely lodgement of financial reports. Ms O'Rourke urged directors to review their obligations, noting that 70% of 217 companies examined were non-compliant.

News.com.au

CORPORATE

Goldman Sachs sees strong M&A growth in Japan

Goldman Sachs forecasts continued growth in Japan's mergers and acquisitions (M&A) market, driven by larger deal sizes and innovative financing structures involving private capital. David Dubner, the firm's global head of M&A structuring, highlighted that partnerships with private equity can lower funding costs and expand opportunities, observing: "Japanese companies want to invest in innovation and growth opportunities." As regulatory changes pressurise companies to enhance shareholder returns, the M&A landscape is expected to thrive, with "transformational M&A increasingly on the docket."

Reuters

INTERNATIONAL

Labour's workers' rights bill clears final hurdle

The UK Labour government's Employment Rights Bill has successfully passed its final parliamentary stage and is expected to become law before Christmas. Business Secretary Peter Kyle expressed his delight, saying the legislation will modernise outdated employment laws and enhance workplace dignity. Key provisions include access to sick pay and paternity leave from day one, along with protections for pregnant women. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the development marked a "major victory for working people in every part of the country." Unite union's general secretary Sharon Graham said the bill must now be implemented "without any further dilution or delay." The bill applies to England, Scotland and Wales, but not Northern Ireland.

UPS underpaid holiday season workers, lawsuit alleges

The New York Attorney-General’s office has accused global delivery giant UPS of underpaying its seasonal workers. In a statement, Attorney-General Letitia James’ office said UPS “commits wage theft against these workers in myriad ways . . . [and] has repeatedly and persistently failed to pay seasonal delivery workers for all time worked,” suggesting that thousands of past and present workers have been affected. The filing alleges workers were not being paid for their labour before and after shifts as well as during meal breaks, and that the company's timekeeping “introduced and compounded” errors.

Petrobras strike disrupts operations amid pension disputes

A strike at Brazil's state-run oil company Petrobras has entered its second day, affecting 24 oil platforms and eight refineries due to disputes regarding pension fund deficits and employee compensation. Despite the strike, Petrobras claims that overall production has not been impacted, because the company has implemented contingency measures to maintain operations. The union reported that additional facilities, including transport units and biodiesel plants, have also been affected by the action.

Reuters

Amazon to cut 370 jobs at Luxembourg HQ in record layoffs

Amazon is set to lay off 370 employees in Luxembourg, around 8.5% of its workforce in the country. The move is part of a global restructuring following 14,000 job cuts announced earlier this year. Despite retaining its footprint and status as Luxembourg’s fifth-largest employer, the layoffs have raised concerns about the nation's reliance on foreign tech firms. Unions criticised Amazon’s approach, linking it to US-style “hire and fire” practices, while spotlighting the company’s minimal tax burden on €70bn in EU sales routed through the Grand Duchy.

Bloomberg

OTHER

India plans mandatory labelling for apparel to boost transparency and sustainability

India is preparing to introduce mandatory labelling rules for apparel and home textiles, requiring manufacturers to disclose fibre content, country of origin, and care instructions. Aimed at aligning with global standards, the move is intended to enhance consumer awareness, promote recycling, and protect against misleading claims. Part of a wider textile waste strategy, the initiative follows stakeholder consultations and is expected to support local manufacturing amid rising trade agreements.

Economic Times

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