THE HOT STORY

Amazon blocks suspected North Korean hires

Amazon has blocked more than 1,800 job applications from suspected North Korean agents attempting to apply for remote working IT jobs using stolen or fake identities, Amazon's chief security officer Stephen Schmidt has said in a LinkedIn post. "Their objective is typically straightforward: get hired, get paid, and funnel wages back to fund the regime's weapons programs," he said, adding that this trend is likely to be happening at scale across the industry, especially in the US. Amazon has witnessed a nearly one-third increase in job applications from North Koreans in the past year, Schmidt said, adding that the operatives typically work with people managing "laptop farms" - a reference to computers based in the US that are run remotely from outside of the country. Amazon used a combination of artificial intelligence tools and verification by its staff to screen job applications, he said.

BBC News

Tech in Asia

The Register

WORKFORCE

Chinese workers return to Africa

Chinese workers are returning to Africa in significant numbers, with 90,793 on contracted projects in 2024, a 4% increase from the previous year, according to the China Africa Research Initiative (CARI). This marks a reversal of a decade-long decline, driven by major projects including Guinea's US$20bn Simandou iron ore venture. Deborah Brautigam of CARI noted that the increase reflects a shift towards large-scale, state-backed projects. However, political instability in countries including Ethiopia and Niger has led to worker exits, highlighting the complex dynamics of Chinese investment in Africa.

South China Morning Post

Wealthy nations curb labour migration amid surging demand

Anti-immigration policies are reshaping migration flows to high-income countries, despite urgent labour shortages. The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) reported a 21% drop in work-related migration to its member states last year. The decline is attributed to rising political opposition and tighter visa regimes, particularly in the UK and New Zealand. Ana Damas de Matos, a senior policy analyst at the OECD, noted that the UK's reforms could exacerbate labour shortages. Across the European Union, around two‑thirds of jobs created between 2019 and 2023 were filled by non‑EU citizens, according to the International Monetary Fund.

Deutsche Welle (EN)

HIRING

Korea to reduce low-skilled foreign worker quota by 40%

Korea will significantly reduce its quota for low-skilled foreign workers in 2026, cutting it by nearly 40% to 80,000. The decision, approved by the Ministry of Employment and Labor, reflects a decrease in demand for foreign labour following the pandemic and a drop in job vacancies in manufacturing and construction. The E-9 nonprofessional employment visa quota will be about 62% of this year's level. Vice Minister Kwon Chang-jun said: "With foreign workers numbering around 1.1m, we will further systematize labour supply planning."

Korea Joongang Daily

LEGAL

WSJ's parent firm accused of dismissing reporter over union role

Selina Cheng, a former reporter for The Wall Street Journal, has begun her testimony against Dow Jones Publishing Co., the parent company of the Journal, in a trial concerning her alleged termination due to union activities. Cheng, who is also chairperson of the Hong Kong Journalists Association, claims her dismissal in July 2024 was due to her refusal to withdraw from a union election. Dow Jones faces two charges under the Employment Ordinance, both of which it denies. Cheng's case has raised significant concerns about press freedom in Hong Kong, where media operations have increasingly come under pressure since the imposition of a national security law in 2020.

U.S. News

Workers in Tamil Nadu protest against labour codes

Members of the Tamil Nadu Construction Workers Central Association protested against four new labour laws, claiming they prioritise corporate interests over workers' rights. M Samayaselvam, the district president, described the laws as a betrayal of the working class and warned of uncertain futures for welfare boards. He said that the laws would diminish job security by increasing contract and daily wage employment. Samayaselvam also raised concerns about worker safety, particularly regarding provisions allowing women to work night shifts without adequate safeguards. "This could place women workers at risk," he said.

The Times of India

INTERNATIONAL

Swiss Court admits climate case against Holcim

A Swiss court has accepted a legal complaint against cement manufacturer Holcim for alleged insufficient action on carbon emissions. The complaint was filed by four residents of Indonesia's Pulau Pari Island, which has faced severe flooding due to rising sea levels. Supported by Swiss Church Aid, the plaintiffs seek compensation for climate damage and demand a swift reduction in CO2 emissions. Holcim acknowledged the court's decision and plans to appeal, asserting its commitment to achieving net zero by 2050 and having reduced direct CO2 emissions by over 50% since 2015. Cement production accounts for about 7% of global CO2 emissions, the Global Cement and Concrete Association says.

U.S. News

TikTok to mandate five-day office return for US staff next year

TikTok plans to require its US employees to return to the office five days a week starting September 2026, Business Insider reports. The move marks one of the company's most significant return-to-office requirements to date and will apply across several large teams.

The Times of India

Business Insider

Brazil union set to accept Petrobras labour deal

The Brazilian oil workers' union FUP has signalled it plans to accept a counteroffer from state-run company Petrobras for a labour deal, in a move which would pave the way to end a week-long strike, Reuters reports. Petrobras confirmed it had made "adjustments" to its latest collective labour proposal, "including advances on key union demands."

Reuters

OTHER

London is the world's most 'magnetic' city

Japan’s Mori Memorial Foundation, a research institute, has ranked London top of its Global Power City Index (GPCI), which evaluates the urban competitiveness of major cities, for the 14th successive year. The GPCI evaluates and ranks the major cities of the world according to their “magnetism,” or their comprehensive power to attract people, capital, and enterprises from around the world. The UK capital secured the top ranking in the Cultural Interaction and Accessibility functions, and maintained a solid #2 in both Economy and R&D. It also took the #1 spot in the indicator for Urban Greenery.

Mori Memorial Foundation

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