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APAC Edition
24th February 2026
 
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THE HOT STORY

India Inc. to roll out a 9.1% salary hike for 2026, Aon says

India Inc. is projected to implement a 9.1% salary increase in 2026, according to Aon's 32nd Annual Salary Increase and Turnover Survey 2025-26 India. The actual increase for 2025 was 8.9%, slightly below the anticipated 9.2%. Industries such as real estate, non-banking financial companies (NBFCs), and manufacturing are expected to lead in salary growth. Roopank Chaudhary, partner at Aon, observed: "Resilient domestic demand and moderating inflation contribute to a positive outlook." However, firms face challenges from labour code implementation and global economic pressures.
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WORKFORCE

Superannuation change may sting Australian employers

Starting July 1, Australian businesses must pay superannuation every payday instead of quarterly. Research from Employment Hero reveals that 80% of employees and 58% of businesses are unaware of this change. Rob Dunn, general manager at Employment Hero, said: "Payday super is one of the most positive reforms for working Australians in decades." The reform aims to improve retirement savings and reduce unpaid super, which the Australian Taxation Office estimates at A$5.2bn annually. Many businesses will need additional working capital to comply, with some likely relying on credit to meet the new requirements.
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TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT

Singapore's massive investment in workforce initiatives over five years

Singapore has invested over S$10bn in workforce initiatives over the past five years, Senior Minister of State for Manpower Koh Poh Koon has said. He noted that the long-term unemployment rate for professionals, managers, executives, and technicians (PMETs) remains low and stable. The government is enhancing support for career transitions through programmes like the Mid-Career Pathways Programme and SkillsFuture Singapore's Career Transition Programme. Koh emphasised the importance of upskilling and ensuring workers' skills remain relevant to industry needs.
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HIRING

Hong Kong finance sector sees job surge amid IPO revival

Hong Kong's finance sector added 4,800 jobs in the year ending September, bringing total employment to 204,000, a 2.4% increase from the previous year, according to the Census and Statistics Department. The growth is attributed to a market rally and increased initial public offerings (IPOs). However, hiring remains uneven, with some firms cutting staff to manage costs.
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WORKPLACE

Can AI liberate us from the tyranny of email?

In the past year dozens of AI products have launched that promise to streamline email inbox management, but fears exist about mistakenly deleted messages and being “disrespected” by artificial replies.
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TECHNOLOGY

Honor to unveil humanoid service robot at MWC

Chinese smartphone maker Honor plans to debut its first humanoid robot at the MWC Barcelona tech conference, marking its entry into the fast-growing robotics sector. The Shenzhen-based company said the robot, designed for consumer services such as shopping assistance, will make Honor one of the first major smartphone brands to move into humanoid robotics. The launch forms part of a broader multibillion-dollar push into artificial intelligence and new industries, including the development of agentic AI services for its smartphones and other devices. Honor, which was spun off from Huawei in 2020 and is backed by state-linked investors, is positioning itself alongside domestic rivals such as Xiaomi and emerging AI-focused firms, as Chinese companies accelerate efforts to embed AI into physical products.
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CORPORATE

Heineken thrives as Budweiser struggles amid China’s shift to at-home drinking

Budweiser and Heineken saw sharply contrasting fortunes in China in 2025, as a shift in consumer habits towards drinking at home favoured Heineken’s distribution model over Budweiser’s bar-focused strategy. Budweiser Brewing APAC reported its biggest profit decline since 2020, with executives acknowledging performance in China fell short of expectations. The brand has traditionally relied on higher-margin “on-trade” venues such as bars and high-end restaurants, which have suffered during the economic slowdown. By contrast, Heineken described China as one of its top three contributors to net profit in 2025, benefiting from its partnership with China Resources Beer and stronger exposure to retail and at-home consumption channels. Analysts say the downturn, pressure on middle-class spending and restrictions on business banquets have accelerated the move away from nightlife and dining venues, reshaping the competitive landscape for premium brewers.
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INTERNATIONAL

Centerview settles lawsuit over analyst’s need for sleep

New York boutique investment bank Centerview Partners has settled a lawsuit from a former analyst who was fired after saying she needed eight to nine hours’ sleep per night. Kathryn Shiber had sued Centerview in 2021, claiming she was fired shortly after informing the firm that she had mood and anxiety disorders requiring her to sleep at least eight hours a night on a consistent schedule. Centerview said Sunday that it had settled the case but declined to discuss the terms. “Centerview has said all along that Ms. Shiber’s legal claims have no merit,” a Centerview spokesperson said. “We were ready to prove that in court, and are confident we would have prevailed at trial. But we are nonetheless happy to put this distraction behind us and focus on delivering for our clients.”

Glovo's Italian food delivery unit ordered to 'regularise' 40,000 workers

The Italian business of Spanish food delivery service Glovo, which is currently under court administration, has been ordered by a judge in Milan to "regularise" 40,000 delivery workers. Milan prosecutors earlier this month placed Glovo's Italian arm, Foodinho, under judicial supervision and its chief executive under investigation for alleged exploitation of workers. "It's important that the Milan prosecutors and the court have delivered a clear message: workers' rights are not an optional . . . you can't put people on the road without safeguards," said Giulia Druetta, a Turin-based lawyer who has represented the delivery workers. Glovo is controlled by Germany's Delivery Hero.

Alberta to hold referendum on new restrictions for immigrants

The Canadian province of Alberta is to hold a referendum on restricting immigration and reducing newcomers’ access to public services. “The fact is, Alberta taxpayers can no longer be asked to continue to subsidise the entire country through equalisation and federal transfers, permit the federal government to flood our borders with new arrivals and then give free access to our most-generous-in-the-country social programs to anyone who moves here,” Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said in a televised address aired on Thursday. She blamed what she called the “disastrous open-border immigration policies” of former prime minister Justin Trudeau for straining the province’s health care, education and social services programs. 

Accenture combats AI refuseniks by linking promotions to log-ins

Dublin-headquartered consulting firm Accenture has begun monitoring staff use of its AI tools as part of how it decides top-level promotions, as consultancies push reluctant employees to adopt the technology. 
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OTHER

Nestlé India says all infant formula made locally amid global contamination probes

Nestlé India has said that all its infant formula brands sold in the country, including Nan Pro, Lactogen, and Nan Grow, are manufactured locally, as it seeks to reassure parents amid international investigations into baby milk contamination. The company said it had conducted thorough testing and confirmed the products comply with Food Safety and Standards Authority of India regulations and other applicable rules. The statement follows reports that French authorities have opened investigations into baby milk brands distributed by Nestlé, Danone, and Lactalis over alleged toxin contamination.
 
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