Human Times

APAC Edition

9th February 2026

THE HOT STORY

AI reshapes China's job landscape

The rise of AI is transforming China's labour market, creating new roles and enhancing employee skills. Hu Pingping, an AI trainer at Xunfei Healthcare, exemplifies this shift, merging her medical expertise with AI technology. According to PwC's 2025 Global AI Jobs Barometer, AI-related positions are increasing globally, with workers in this field earning a 56% wage premium. Liu Cong from iFLYTEK noted that AI is pushing the workforce towards higher-value roles. However, concerns about job displacement persist as AI technology evolves rapidly, challenging traditional career paths.

Chinadaily US Edition

WORKFORCE

Trade unions boost rights for China's gig workers

The All-China Federation of Trade Unions has made strides in protecting gig workers' rights over the past three years. In 2023, they initiated a three-year programme aimed at rights protection and skills training, resulting in 10.74m workers joining trade unions. The federation collaborated with the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security to regulate employers and platforms. Nearly 3,000 local platforms engaged in collective bargaining, leading to 3,576 agreements across various sectors. Additionally, 75 workers received the National May 1 Labor Medals, recognising their contributions to the workforce.

Chinadaily US Edition

Capgemini's India strategy fuels growth

Capgemini is heavily investing in its Indian operations, which employ 230,000 people, representing 55% of its global workforce. The company has seen significant growth, with a revenue increase to Rs 30,090 crore in FY2024–25. Phil Fersht, chief executive of HfS Research, noted that India is now essential for multinational IT firms, serving as a primary delivery engine for various services. Capgemini plans to hire over 45,000 employees, with a focus on fresh talent, despite productivity gains from automation. Aiman Ezzat, CEO of Capgemini, emphasised India's integral role in innovation and product development.

The Times of India

TECHNOLOGY

Finance leaders embrace AI

Finance teams are rapidly adopting artificial intelligence, but most are still struggling to demonstrate clear returns on their investments, according to Deloitte’s Finance Trends 2026 survey. While 63% of finance leaders say AI is fully deployed in their functions, only 21% report clear, measurable value so far, and just 14% have fully integrated AI agents into day-to-day finance operations. The gap reflects challenges moving beyond pilots, with legacy systems, unclear ROI, and data complexity slowing progress. Data privacy is also a major concern, especially given the sensitivity of financial information. Despite these hurdles, confidence remains high: nearly nine in 10 chief financial officers expect AI to be critical to finance operations.

Wall Street Journal

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Cheap as Chips CEO collected A$1m payout before retailer’s collapse

Cheap as Chips paid its chief executive Nick Abboud a combined payout of about A$1m — including a A$430,000 “success fee” and a A$550,000 redundancy — shortly before the discount retailer was placed into administration in December, despite the business losing around A$2m a month. The payments, approved days before the collapse by private equity owner Alceon, are now being challenged by administrators WLP Restructuring, who say they may constitute an uncommercial or unreasonable director-related transaction.

Australian Financial Review

CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

Corporate volunteering rates lag behind donations

Only 14% of the 1,100 companies surveyed by the National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre (NVPC) participate in corporate volunteering, while 26% donate. The NVPC's National Corporate Purpose & Impact Study 2025 found a median employee participation rate of 70% for volunteering, with a median donation of S$10,000. Cash donations were the most common, with 78% of firms contributing. The main barriers to corporate giving include a lack of leadership interest and financial constraints. The study emphasised the need for a supportive leadership culture to enhance corporate social responsibility efforts.

Business Times SG

HIRING

Kotak Mahindra Bank targets tech talent

Bhavnish Lathia, chief technology officer at Kotak Mahindra Bank, has announced plans to recruit 300 to 500 engineers to enhance the bank's technology capabilities. The bank aims to become a "technology company with a banking license." Lathia noted that the bank's workforce of over 2,000 includes talent from major tech firms.

Livemint.com

Meghalaya celebrates 75 new start-ups

PRIME Meghalaya has successfully onboarded 75 start-ups under the CM's E-Championship Challenge (CMECC) 6.0 and graduated another 75 from Cohort 5. The initiative has supported around 5,000 entrepreneurs, disbursed Rs 200 crore, and created nearly 7,000 jobs. CM Conrad K Sangma emphasised the government's commitment to entrepreneurship as a key economic driver. The programme offers business grants and nine-month incubation support, attracting nearly 4,000 applications. Vijay Kumar D noted that the state aims to generate over 25,000 jobs by 2032, highlighting the growing start-up ecosystem in Meghalaya.

The Times of India

PNB opens doors for apprentices

PNB has announced its Apprentice Recruitment 2026, aiming to fill 5,138 apprentice positions under India's Apprentices Act, 1961. Online registration opens on February 8, 2026, and closes on February 24, 2026. Graduates from recognised universities aged 20 to 28 can apply. The selection process includes an online exam, local language test, document verification, and medical examination. Selected apprentices will receive a monthly stipend of Rs 12,300 or Rs 15,000, depending on their posting.

The Times of India

TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT

Fresh graduates find hope in new traineeships

The Graduate Industry Traineeships (GRIT) programme, launched by the Ministry of Manpower and Workforce Singapore, has placed around 350 fresh graduates in various organisations, including major firms like DBS Bank and LinkedIn Singapore. The initiative aims to provide hands-on experience through structured traineeships lasting three to six months, with a monthly allowance of $1,800 to $2,400. Manpower Minister Tan See Leng noted the resilience of Singapore's labour market, stating that many graduates are securing jobs, with nearly 70% of the 2025 university cohort already employed.

Business Times SG

Straits Times

Korea's new visa rules boost international students

Korea's Ministry of Justice has designated 16 vocational university programs as workforce-focused, easing visa regulations for international students. Under a trial program, students enrolled in these programs will benefit from relaxed D-2 visa requirements, including a lower minimum bank balance and increased part-time work hours. Graduates can apply for a new E-7-M work visa if they secure relevant employment with a salary of 26 m won or more. Justice Minister Jung Sung-ho stated: "We will actively work with local governments... to address population decline and regional labour shortages.” The trial will run until the end of 2027.

Korea Joongang Daily

INTERNATIONAL

ArcelorMittal denies job losses in Europe-wide review

ArcelorMittal has responded to media reports suggesting that over a third of its Luxembourg workforce could face job losses due to a Europe-wide review of support functions. The company clarified that these figures represent a study, not actual layoffs. "It is absolutely not the case that thousands of jobs in Europe will be transferred," a statement from the company said. The review, affecting around 1,150 positions, aims to assess roles for potential transfer to Poland or India, but many jobs will remain in Luxembourg. Union leaders are monitoring the situation closely as negotiations continue.

Luxembourg Times

AND FINALLY...

From Kiss Cam to crisis comms

Kristin Cabot, the HR executive caught on a Kiss Cam during a Coldplay concert, is charging $875 per ticket for her upcoming speech titled "taking back the narrative." The incident, which occurred in April 2025, led to widespread speculation about her relationship with her married boss, Andy Byron. Cabot described the experience as public shaming, stating she felt branded with a "scarlet letter." Her speech, scheduled for April 16 at PRWeek's 2026 Crisis Comms Conference, aims to share her strategies for reclaiming her narrative, alongside PR expert Dini von Mueffling.

The Independent UK

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