Human Times

APAC Edition

23rd January 2026

THE HOT STORY

Hyundai's union opposes humanoid robot plans, citing job concerns

Hyundai Motor's labour union has issued a warning about the company's plan to deploy humanoid robots by 2028, saying such actions may lead to "employment shocks" and threaten job security for workers. In an internal letter, the union insisted that no robots should be introduced without a labour-management agreement, reflecting their concerns that automation could be used to cut costs at the expense of the workforce. While Hyundai's shares have risen following news of the robot initiative, the union maintains that the push for automation could harm the jobs of employees in South Korea, particularly as the company expands its production facilities in the US.

Reuters

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HIRING

Thailand's aviation sector struggles to fill key roles

Thailand's aviation sector is grappling with a significant personnel shortage following Covid-19. A report indicates that before the pandemic, the industry employed over 4.3m people, but now faces recruitment challenges and high turnover rates. Pukkanut Makchouy, President of the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand, said that a newly-signed collaboration with the International Air Transport Association aims to modernise training and improve workforce competencies to meet industry demands.

The Nation

LEGAL

ANZ faces backlash over job cuts at Suncorp Bank

ANZ Group's decision to cut 197 jobs across multiple divisions of Suncorp Bank has drawn sharp criticism from Australia's Finance Sector Union, which claims the layoffs violate commitments made to employees during the bank's acquisition. The union's president said: "We have not seen evidence to support [ANZ's] claim" of compliance with obligations made during the A$3.3bn purchase. Despite ANZ asserting its commitment to retaining jobs and maintaining branch operations, the union has urged the federal government to ensure accountability.

Reuters

TECHNOLOGY

Business leaders weigh benefits and challenges of integrating AI

Writing for Time, Ayesha Javed reports that business leaders shared their perspectives on the impact of scaling up new technologies including AI during a TIME100 Talks panel discussion in Davos on Jan. 20. Abhijit Dubey, chief executive and chief artificial intelligence officer at NTT Data, observed that, unlike all other innovations, AI is the “first technology that will actually be non-human driven.” Raj Sharma, global managing partner for growth and innovation at EY, said the key ingredients in the AI era would be trust, tools, and talent. “You have to balance the equation between [the] three to make sure that AI is adopted.”

Time

Unitree Robotics leads humanoid robot race

Unitree Robotics shipped over 5,500 humanoid robots in 2025, significantly outpacing American competitors including Tesla, Figure AI and Agility Robotics, which each shipped 150 units. The Hangzhou-based company ramped up production ahead of its planned listing. Unitree's annual output exceeded 6,000 units, excluding wheeled models and other products. The company is now a leading player in China's humanoid robot market. AgiBot, another competitor, anticipates shipping over 5,000 units in 2025, generating over 1bn yuan in revenue, according to its chief executive, Deng Taihua.

Renewables Now

South China Morning Post

STRATEGY

Ikea to double India investment to over $2.2bn

Ikea plans to more than double its investment in India to over ₹200bn ($2.2bn) over the next five years as it ramps up store openings and local sourcing. The Swedish furniture giant, which currently operates six stores in India, aims to increase that number to 30 and expand online services to cities without physical stores, including Chennai and Coimbatore. Chief executive Patrik Antoni said India is expected to become one of Ikea’s top global markets. Online sales, which already make up over 30% of total India revenue, are targeted to grow to 40%.

Reuters

LEADERSHIP

Nationality is no longer irrelevant for global CEOs

Foreign-born CEOs are increasingly facing challenges in the US amid rising nationalist sentiments and stricter immigration policies, with anti-globalist rhetoric gradually seeping into corporate decision-making, writes the Financial Times' Anjli Raval.

Financial Times

INTERNATIONAL

Spanish train drivers call strike after two fatal crashes

Spain's biggest train drivers' union has called a three-day nationwide strike for February 9-11 to call for measures to guarantee railway safety following three derailments within 48 hours which caused crashes that left dozens dead, including two drivers. SEMAF said it would “demand criminal liability from those responsible for ensuring safety in the railway infrastructure,” adding “This situation of constant deterioration of the railway is unacceptable.”

Aljazeera

Reuters

The Times

Saudi hands scope of some Vision 2030 projects to private sector

Saudi Arabia is transferring the scope of various Vision 2030 projects to the private sector to better manage timelines and avoid economic overheating, Economy Minister Faisal al-Ibrahim has said at the World Economic Forum in Davos. "The private sector is ready now and even more eager to participate," Ibrahim said, adding: "Recently, some entire scopes of projects were given to the private sector to deliver with some regulatory support and guidelines . . . We're very transparent. We're not going to shy away from saying we had to shift this project, delay it, re-scope it."

Reuters

Lawyers are ‘endangered’ in Donald Trump’s America, international group warns

The Day of the Endangered Lawyer, an annual event every January 24 to raise awareness of risks to members of the profession, has chosen the US as its focus country for 2026. The group says the selection reflects serious concerns of escalating attacks against lawyers in 2025, including executive orders targeting law firms, harassment, political reprisals and discriminatory measures undermining the independence of the legal profession.

Day of the Endangered Lawyer

Financial Times

OTHER

Japan’s Valentine’s Day sales focus on experiences and unique sweets

Japanese department stores and confectionery makers are enhancing their Valentine’s Day campaigns by offering experience-focused products to attract modern consumers. Matsuya Ginza is promoting its viral Angel Hair Chocolate, featuring Turkish-style pismaniye, while Tobu and Takashimaya are expanding eat-in dessert options and patissier-prepared treats. From February 8th–14th, Matsuya will even serve a cacao-based course meal. Meanwhile, brands like Lotte and Meiji are launching limited-edition chocolate bars and giveaways to appeal to DIY gift-makers, including pink Ghana bars and Sanrio-shaped chocolate moulds.

Japan Times

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