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APAC Edition
8th April 2024
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THE HOT STORY
New Zealand to revamp employment visa program
New Zealand is making immediate changes to its employment visa program in response to last year's near record migration, which the government deems "unsustainable." The reforms include introducing English language requirements for low-skilled jobs, setting minimum skills and work experience thresholds for most employer work visas, and reducing the maximum continuous stay for low-skilled roles. The aim is to prioritise highly skilled migrants and ensure that New Zealanders have priority for jobs without skills shortages. Last year, 173,000 people migrated to New Zealand, raising concerns about inflation. The changes align with Australia's plan to halve its migrant intake over the next two years. Immigration Minister Erica Stanford emphasized the need to attract and retain highly skilled migrants while prioritising New Zealanders for job opportunities.
BACKGROUND SCREENING
Switching background screening partners: how to make the change, seamlessly

If you’re a business that screens its workforce, you’ll know that the relationship with your provider doesn’t stop at the checks. Partnering with a background check specialist is multi-faceted, taking onboard open communication, speed, stringent data security, and a whole lot of trust.

But what happens when that relationship falters?

Moving to a new provider can be fraught with difficulty. However, with some planning, and a clear idea of your objectives, the transition can be more straightforward than you think.

Download this essential step-by-step guide to seamlessly switching background screening partners.

 
LEGAL
Three in 10 workers in Korea experience workplace harassment, survey suggests
Three out of 10 workers in Korea have experienced workplace harassment in the past year, according to a survey of 1,000 office workers. The survey revealed that 30.5% of respondents experienced workplace harassment in the past year, compared to 30.1% in a similar poll in the first quarter of last year. Shockingly, 15.6% of those who experienced workplace harassment in this year's survey said they considered taking their own lives, up from 10.6% in last year's poll. The survey also found that 46.6% of those who experienced workplace harassment described it as "serious." The most common types of harassment reported were insults and defamation, unreasonable orders, orders outside of work, and violence and verbal abuse. "Of those who experienced workplace bullying, 57.7% said they responded by enduring or ignoring it, with 47.1% of them citing that they did not think the situation would improve if they took action," said a survey co-author.
WORKFORCE
Japanese workers' real wages fall for 23rd consecutive month
Japanese workers' real wages fell for the 23rd consecutive month in February, indicating that higher prices are affecting consumer spending. Inflation-adjusted real wages dropped by 1.3% compared to the previous year, while nominal pay increased by 1.8%. The Bank of Japan considers wage and inflation data when deciding on its stimulus policy. Last month, the central bank made a historic shift away from its focus on reflating growth with massive monetary stimulus. Japanese firms have agreed to raise wages by 5.24% this year, the largest increase in 33 years. The decline in real wages is expected to continue impacting consumer purchasing power.
HIRING
Indonesian undergraduates duped into paying for bogus internships
Indonesian undergraduate Ramayana Monica and around 1,900 other students were deceived into paying exorbitant fees for bogus internships in Germany, Straits Times reports. The students were promised 20 university credits and high-paying jobs, but instead were forced to perform menial tasks such as sorting fruit and moving heavy goods. Indonesian police are investigating human trafficking allegations related to the program, and at least 33 universities across Indonesia are involved in the investigations. Five suspects, including a professor and two agency executives, have been named so far. The students were lured into the program through pamphlets distributed on campus, which falsely claimed that the internships were part of an official German working holiday program. The students were also required to pay large application fees and incurred additional administrative fees. Many of the students are now burdened with debt and are seeking assistance to repay it.
HEALTH & WELLBEING
Standing or moving at work improves brain function, study finds
A new study suggests that working at a desk that requires standing or movement can improve brain function. Researchers found that people's reasoning scores improved when working at an active workstation. Typing speed may slow slightly, but accuracy is not affected. The study, published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, highlights the importance of blending movement with office work to potentially improve cognitive performance and overall health. Dr. Francisco Lopez-Jimenez, a preventive cardiologist with the Mayo Clinic, stated that being sedentary is detrimental to cardiovascular health and that active workstations could be a way to prevent conditions like obesity, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. The findings indicate that there are more ways to remain productive and mentally sharp while working. The study involved 44 participants who tested four different office settings over four consecutive days. The participants scored better on reasoning tests when standing, stepping, or walking compared to sitting.
STRATEGY
HSBC’s Tucker again rules out Asian spin-off
HSBC chairman Mark Tucker has reiterated that the bank will not spin-off of its Asian business as the London-listed lender seeks to shake off the idea once and for all. Senior bosses at the bank hold an informal meeting with HSBC's Hong Kong-based retail investors each year and at the latest gathering on Wednesday they were asked again about an Asian spin-off. Tucker said: “There is no appetite amongst our shareholder base, as demonstrated by last year's AGM results, to vote for a spin-off. That will not happen.”
Blackstone to invest $2bn annually in India for next five years
Blackstone, the US investment firm, has announced plans to invest at least $2bn annually in India for the next five years. The company sees India as one of its top markets and plans to target companies in healthcare, financial services, and energy transition. Blackstone, which is India's biggest landlord, also plans to invest a total of $17bn in the country in the coming years.
ECONOMY
China's services activity growth accelerates in March
China's services activity growth accelerated in March, with new business rising at the quickest pace in three months. The Caixin/S&P Global services purchasing managers' index (PMI) increased to 52.7, indicating expansion for the 15th consecutive month. The data, along with other positive manufacturing surveys, suggest that parts of China's economy are gaining momentum in Q1. Despite the growth in sales and business confidence, employment levels continued to shrink. However, the rate of job shedding eased from February. The Caixin/S&P's composite PMI rose to 52.7, the highest reading since May 2023. "Growth in supply and demand in both the manufacturing and services sectors accelerated slightly, with improved exports and sustained market optimism," said economist Wang Zhe. However, employment in both sectors continued to contract, indicating sluggish demand persisted.
SUSTAINABILITY
KPMG's carbon emissions rose 4% in 2023
KPMG says that its carbon emissions rose 4% in 2023, to 1,483 kilotons, an increase it has attributed to the return of business travel following the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions. Air travel emissions increased 77% year-over-year, and "other" business travel emissions increased by approximately 37%. Europe, the Middle East and Africa accounted for a 38% increase, while the Americas and Asia Pacific decreased their gross emissions by roughly 19% and 8%, respectively. The Big Four firm reduced its total electricity usage and grew its proportion of renewable energy across the organization from 79% to 81%. The firm credits these results to the continuation of hybrid work and initiatives by its firms to improve energy efficiency. It aims to be using 100% renewable energy by 2030. 
INTERNATIONAL
Developer plans modern charter city for Hongkongers in the UK
Property developer Ivan Ko, who fled Chinese rule, is planning to build a modern charter city for Hongkongers in the UK. After leaving Hong Kong due to the national security law imposed by Beijing, Ko is now seeking to create a new Hong Kong in Britain. The project, called Nextpolis, aims to establish small communities of Hongkongers within existing cities or towns, as well as potentially building a full-scale city. Ko has already had discussions with the UK government and local authorities, and hopes to secure a plot of land in the Thames estuary near London. The new city would prioritise detached family houses and a walkable, cyclable environment.
Ugandan activists call for international pressure to repeal anti-homosexuality law
Ugandan gay rights activists are urging the international community to increase pressure on the government of Uganda to repeal an anti-gay law that the country's Constitutional Court has refused to nullify. Activist Frank Mugisha called the ruling "wrong and deplorable" and called for restrictions on donor funding to Uganda. The court upheld a law that imposes the death penalty for "aggravated homosexuality" and up to 14 years in prison for "attempted aggravated homosexuality." President Yoweri Museveni signed the Anti-Homosexuality Act into law last year. It has faced condemnation from rights groups and others abroad.
OTHER
Spread of bird flu raises risks of human infection
The head of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) has warned that the spread of bird flu to a wider range of species and geographic areas increases the risks of human infection. Monique Eloit expressed concern over the recent cases of bird flu in dairy cows and a person in the US state of Texas, emphasizing the need to investigate potential transmission between cows. While the number of outbreaks has decreased this season, the virus has reached new regions, including South America and Antarctica, and has affected various mammal species. Eloit highlighted the growing viral load and the risk of contamination to humans. Although bird flu outbreaks have caused serious infections in people with close contact with infected animals, there has been no sustained human-to-human transmission. However, experts warn that the virus could mutate and become transmissible between humans, potentially leading to a large-scale pandemic. The European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) has also raised concerns about the lack of human immunity against a transmissible bird flu virus.
 


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