THE HOT STORY

Toyota tells Venezuela staff to work from home

Japanese carmaker Toyota has told its employees in Venezuela to work from home following the Trump administration’s removal of President Nicolás Maduro over the weekend. Bloomberg notes that the company’s manufacturing site in Cumana has faced repeated disruptions due to the South American country’s protracted economic crisis. The remote working directive is not affecting sales and production, Toyota said.

Bloomberg

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HIRING

Foreign graduate employment in Korea tops 30% for first time

The employment rate for foreign graduates in Korea has surpassed 30% for the first time, according to the Ministry of Education. An analysis revealed that 36,271 international students completed their studies between August 2023 and February 2024, with 33.4% of those remaining in Korea to secure jobs. This marks an increase of 11.7 percentage points from the previous year. The ministry noted that improved data accuracy, achieved through cross-ministry data sharing, will enhance career guidance and employment policies for international students. Meanwhile, Korean graduate employment rates have declined slightly to 69.5%.

The Korea Times

WORKFORCE

Bangladesh sent record number of workers to Saudi Arabia in 2025

Bangladesh sent over 750,000 workers to Saudi Arabia in 2025, marking a record high for overseas deployment to a single country. This represents a 16% increase from 2024, when approximately 628,000 Bangladeshis migrated to the Kingdom. The focus has shifted towards sending skilled workers, with the introduction of the Skill Verification Program, which aims to enhance professional competence in the Saudi labour market.

Arab News

LEGAL

China unveils new ethnic unity and language laws

Beijing has introduced new proposals to protect national symbols and enforce the use of standard Chinese. The government claims these laws aim to balance minority identity preservation with national integration for stability. A spokesperson said: "These measures are essential for maintaining social harmony."

South China Morning Post

ECONOMY

Northern Metropolis project to be ‘new economic engine'

Hong Kong is developing the Northern Metropolis, a vast project estimated to cost HK$224bn and aimed at creating a modern residential and commercial hub with a focus on information and technology. Covering 30,000 hectares, it will integrate with Shenzhen and provide 500,000 housing units and 650,000 jobs. Plans include tech zones equivalent in size to Hong Kong's current business and financial districts – Sheung Wan, Central, Admiralty and Wan Chai – combined.

Business Times SG

China's restaurant sector faces crisis

Per-capita spending on meals in China has fallen nearly 24% since 2023, according to data from the National Bureau of Statistics. Small restaurants are struggling as consumers cut back on dining out due to economic uncertainty. Zhang Hongbin, owner of a noodle canteen in Shanghai, said: "Fewer clients showed up, and the revenue failed to offset costs." The catering sector, which employs over 20m people, is facing persistent deflationary pressure, with restaurant takings rising only 3.3% in the first 11 months of 2025, lagging behind retail sales growth of 4.1%.

South China Morning Post

INTERNATIONAL

DOJ is using fraud law to target companies on DEI

The Trump administration has launched investigations under the False Claims Act into the use of diversity initiatives in hiring and promotion at major US companies, including Google and Verizon. The companies, in sectors including automotive, pharmaceuticals, defence, and utilities, have received Justice Department demands for documents and information about their workplace programs, the Wall Street Journal has reported, citing people familiar with the investigations. Lawyers who practice in the area say it is unusual to see the antifraud law being used to pursue concerns about compliance with federal antidiscrimination laws. “These investigations are somewhat unique,” said Lisa Dykstra, a partner at Morgan Lewis. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said the False Claims Act would be a “weapon” used to go after companies that “continue to adhere to racist policies.”

The Wall Street Journal

Italy offers 10,000 jobs to workers from Pakistan

Pakistan has secured a dedicated labour quota from Italy, enabling 10,500 Pakistani workers to find employment in Europe over the next three years. The agreement makes Italy the first European nation to offer such a quota specifically for Pakistan. Each year, 3,500 workers will travel to Italy, including 1,500 seasonal and 2,000 non-seasonal roles across various sectors including shipbreaking, hospitality, and healthcare. Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis Chaudhry Salik Hussain said: "After prolonged efforts, doors to employment for the Pakistani workforce in Italy are about to open." The initiative aims to diversify employment opportunities and boost remittance inflows.

Gulfnews.com

Increased relocation requests in Israel's tech sector

Israeli technology professionals are increasingly seeking to relocate abroad due to the ongoing conflict with Hamas. The Israel Advanced Technology Industries Association (IATI) warned that the trend could jeopardise the country's innovation capabilities, although many firms still maintain stable operations. IATI CEO Karin Mayer Rubinstein remarked: "Even during the difficult war, the Israeli high-tech industry . . . proved its resilience and its ability to lead in innovation and creativity."

Reuters

Dutch employees embrace office life again

Dutch employees returned to offices in 2025, with an average of 65% of work time spent in the office, up 6.2 percentage points from 2024. Data from mobility platforms Shuttel and Reisbalans show that full-time employees now work 1.2 days more in the office than in 2024. Despite the trend, Fridays remain the least popular commuting day. Reisbalans noted a rise in a “three-day office week” and a significant increase in cycling to work, influenced by government reimbursements. "Cycling rose across all seasons," observed Reisbalans.

NL Times

OTHER

Australia mandates cash for essentials

As of January 1, 2026, Australia requires fuel and grocery retailers to accept cash for in-person purchases up to $500, between 7am and 9pm. Aimed mainly at major chains like Coles, Woolworths, Ampol, and BP, the mandate exempts most small businesses - unless they operate under larger trademarks. Treasurer Jim Chalmers said: “You should be able to pay with cash if you need to.” The policy, designed to ensure payment accessibility, will run for three years before being reviewed for impact.

Time Out Australia

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