Human Times

APAC Edition

8th January 2026

THE HOT STORY

China weighs better benefits for gig workers

China's gig economy comprises around 200m workers, and issues including low wages and lack of benefits persist. A recent State Council report highlighted the need for better legal protections for gig workers, suggesting that independent legislation is necessary. Mr Guo Shuqing, a vice-chairman of the National People's Congress, noted that existing labour laws do not adequately cover gig employment. Experts believe that improving protections is crucial for social stability and economic growth.

Straits Times

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WORKFORCE

Private sector jobs in Korea set for growth

The Bank of Korea (BOK) forecasts a rise in total employment in South Korea by 150,000 in 2026, with 60,000 of those jobs coming from the private sector. This follows an estimated increase of 180,000 jobs in 2025, including 50,000 in the private sector. Despite sluggish growth since 2024, particularly in construction, the private sector has shown signs of recovery since late 2025. The BOK noted that private sector employment is closely linked to domestic demand and core inflation, highlighting its importance in the overall job market.

The Korea Times

RISK

Japanese nuclear official loses phone containing classified data in China

A nuclear official from Japan has reported losing a mobile phone that contained sensitive information while on a trip to China, sparking concerns over potential security breaches. The incident is being viewed as particularly alarming given the ongoing geopolitical tensions and the critical nature of nuclear data. Authorities are conducting an investigation to assess the implications of the security lapse and to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

Bloomberg

TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT

Hong Kong launches new aircraft engineering training centre

Hong Kong has inaugurated a new Aircraft Engineering Training Centre aimed at enhancing skills for technicians involved in aircraft dismantling and recycling. Chief executive John Lee Ka-chiu described the centre as a significant advancement towards establishing the city as a leader in aircraft recycling and parts trading. The facility, developed by the Airport Authority's Hong Kong International Aviation Academy and Elior Group, aims to train 1,000 students annually by 2028. Elior Asia CEO Janet Cheung highlighted the potential for Hong Kong to manage an entire aircraft life cycle, including leasing and recycling operations.

South China Morning Post

ACCA scraps remote exams to combat cheating

The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) will require candidates to sit exams in person from March to thwart a rise in students cheating when sitting tests remotely. "We’re seeing the sophistication of [cheating] systems outpacing what can be put in, [in] terms of safeguards," Helen Brand, the chief executive of the ACCA, told the Financial Times. The UK's Financial Reporting Council warned in 2022 that cheating in professional exams was rife, with an investigation by the accounting regulator finding instances of cheating at Big Four firms – KPMG, PwC, Deloitte and EY – along with Mazars, Grant Thornton and BDO.

TECHNOLOGY

AI chatbots are biased against dialect speakers

Researchers from the University of California, Berkeley, found that large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT exhibit significant bias against speakers of various English dialects. In their study, dialect speakers received 18% worse stereotyping, 25% more demeaning content, and 15% more condescending responses compared to standard English speakers. Emma Harvey, a PhD student at Cornell University, noted that as LLMs become more prevalent, they may amplify existing biases. The study suggests that custom LLMs tailored for dialects could improve user experience and reduce discrimination.

Deutsche Welle (EN)

ECONOMY

Thai retail sector faces tough times

The Thai retail sector is grappling with weak consumer spending, political uncertainties, and natural disasters, leading to a challenging outlook for 2026. Milin Veraratanaroj, chairman of Tang Ngee Soon Superstore, noted that economic growth may only reach 1%–2% this year. He emphasised the need for retailers to manage costs and integrate technology. Nattakit Tangpoonsinthana, chief marketing officer of Central Pattana, highlighted the persistent issue of high household debt, which stood at 86.8% of GDP in Q2 2025. Despite these challenges, there is optimism for recovery driven by tourism, with a target of 36.7m foreign arrivals in 2026.

Bangkok Post

INTERNATIONAL

Job seekers turn dating apps into networking tools

Job seekers are increasingly using dating apps such as Hinge to network and find job opportunities amid a challenging employment market. Tiffany Chau, a student, adapted her Hinge profile to connect with potential employers, leading to valuable networking experiences. About a third of dating app users in the US said they had sought matches for job hook-ups, according to a ResumeBuilder.com poll. Stacie Haller, ResumeBuilder.com's chief career advisor, observed: “People are doing it to expand their networks, make connections, because the best way to get a job today is who you know . . . Networking is the only way people are rising above the horror show that the job search is today.”

Luxembourg Times

Straits Times

UK is the hybrid work capital of Europe

Data from LinkedIn shows four in ten jobs advertised in the UK are for hybrid roles, up 2.4% year-on-year. UK employers were about 10% to 13% more likely to advertise hybrid roles than companies in other European countries. Janine Chamberlin, the UK’s country manager at LinkedIn, said: "The UK is leading Europe on hybrid work, more than a third of job adverts now offer hybrid roles, and nearly half of all applications go to them. What our data shows is that this isn’t just about flexibility as a perk. Professionals increasingly see hybrid work as critical to career progression, particularly women and younger workers pursuing leadership roles."

The Times

Labubu maker Pop Mart opens new Mexico hub

Pop Mart International Group has launched a new manufacturing hub in Mexico to meet rising demand for collectible toys in North America. The facility complements existing factories in Cambodia and Indonesia, and enhances the company's supply chain beyond China and Vietnam. Pop Mart, which collaborates with manufacturing partners, has seen a surge in demand for its Labubu dolls since their global debut in 2025.

Los Angeles Times

OTHER

US operation in Venezuela 'undermined international law'

US airstrikes on Venezuela and the seizure of president Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores in the early hours of Saturday clearly “undermined a fundamental principle of international law,” the United Nations argued Tuesday. “States must not threaten or use force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state,” Ravina Shamdasani, spokeswoman for the UN rights office, told reporters. “And this is what we are seeing,” she said, as she urged the international community to “come together with one voice . . . to make clear that this is an action that is in contravention of the international law that was set up by member states.”

The Times of Israel

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