Human Times

APAC Edition

26th March 2026

THE HOT STORY

ABC could use Middle East crisis to order striking staff back

Hugh Marks, the managing director of Australian broadcaster ABC, has said a potential escalation in the Middle East conflict could justify staff being called to return to work during a strike which started at 11am on Wednesday, after he widened the definition of “emergency broadcasting” at the public media corporation. Under the broadcaster's pay agreement with staff, emergency broadcasting is excluded from industrial action, but that had hitherto referred to natural disasters in Australia rather than major news events overseas.

Sydney Morning Herald

WORKFORCE

Gulf conflict puts South Asia's Gulf remittances at risk

Millions of South Asian workers in the Gulf send home significant remittances that are crucial for their home economies, but economists warn that ongoing conflict in the region could disrupt these financial flows. "The duration of the conflict has so far been too short to severely impact employment of migrant workers or their remittance transfers," says Rajiv Biswas, chief executive at the Singapore-based macroeconomic and geopolitical risk research firm Asia-Pacific Economics. "However, if the duration of the conflict does become more protracted and extends into months, then it will become increasingly likely that migrant worker jobs will be impacted, as key sectors such as tourism and commercial aviation suffer increasing economic losses."

Deutsche Welle (EN)

STRATEGY

GM to invest $600m in South Korean unit

GM plans to invest $600m in its South Korean unit to upgrade manufacturing facilities and products. The US automaker said it is adding a $300m investment to another $300m spending plan announced in December. The investment plan is good news for the company's Korean workers as they are still worried about a potential GM exit from the Asian country, workers' union leader Ahn Kyu-baek ⁠told Reuters.

Reuters

HIRING

Singapore firms more restrained in hiring

Early signs indicate a cautious approach to hiring among Singapore firms due to rising costs linked to the ongoing Iran war. Kirsty Poltock, country manager of Robert Walters Singapore, noted that while hiring remains steady, businesses are prioritising efficiency. The Ministry of Manpower's latest report shows a tight labour market, but firms are expected to remain cautious. Andrew Tan, co-owner of Atomi, highlighted a 20% rise in operating costs, impacting hiring plans. OCBC's chief economist, Selena Ling, said that firms are adopting cost containment measures rather than resorting to retrenchments.

Business Times SG

LEGAL

Macau lawmakers allow secret court hearings

China-ruled Macau lawmakers have unanimously passed a bill allowing court proceedings to be held behind closed doors to protect national security. The legislation requires judges to refer cases to the Committee for Safeguarding National Security if public hearings could risk security. The committee's decisions on whether to close hearings are final and not subject to appeal. The law follows the 2023 amendments to the national security law, which led to the arrest of leading democrat Au Kam San for alleged collusion with foreign forces. Rights groups have condemned the move, urging the release of Au and opposing suppression of peaceful criticism.

U.S. News

ECONOMY

Australian consumer confidence hits record low as rate rises and Iran war weigh on households

Australian consumer confidence has fallen to its lowest level since records began in 1973, with the ANZ-Roy Morgan index dropping 5.4 points in a week and 20% since the onset of the Iran war, driven by surging petrol prices, rising inflation expectations of 6.9% and the Reserve Bank’s rate hike to 4.1%. The sharp deterioration signals a potential contraction in household spending, as financial sentiment and buying intentions weaken significantly, while regulators warn geopolitical risks and higher borrowing costs could increase pressure on consumers and the financial system.

The West Australian

Sydney Morning Herald

CULTURE

Workers impressed by corporate jargon 'may be worse at their jobs'

A study by Cornell University in the US has found that employees who are impressed by corporate jargon may struggle with effective decision-making. “There's a lot of useful things about the way people in a certain company speak to each other. But it becomes problematic when that turns into nonsense that's used for misleading purposes,” Shane Littrell, a postdoctoral researcher and cognitive psychologist at Cornell University who authored the study, said. “It's the people that can't tell the difference that seem to have the most problems.” The research indicates that those susceptible to corporate jargon often display lower analytical thinking and problem-solving skills. The study highlights the need for awareness of how corporate jargon can mislead even highly educated professionals.

The Guardian

HEALTH & WELLBEING

JPMorgan deploys tech to monitor junior bankers’ working hours

JPMorgan Chase is seeking to guard against overwork by scrutinising whether the hours junior investment bankers claim to work match up against activity electronically logged by the bank’s IT systems.

Financial Times

INTERNATIONAL

Epic Games lays off 1,000 employees

Epic Games, the developer of “Fortnite,” is laying off over 1,000 employees and cutting costs by $500m. Chief executive Tim Sweeney announced the layoffs, attributing them to a decline in “Fortnite” engagement last year. “Despite Fortnite remaining one of the most successful games in the world, we've had challenges delivering consistent Fortnite magic with every season,” he said. The company has faced industry-wide challenges, including slower growth and tougher cost economics. The State of the Game Industry Report from the Game Developers Conference revealed that about one-third of U.S. video game industry workers were laid off in the past two years. Sweeney aims to focus on enhancing “awesome Fortnite experiences” and improving developer tools moving forward.

The Baltimore Sun

Los Angeles Times

U.S. News

Femsa cuts jobs in Spin fintech unit amid strategic refocus

Mexico’s Femsa has begun laying off staff within its Spin fintech division, with reports suggesting hundreds of roles are affected as part of a broader strategic shift to prioritise the company's core Oxxo convenience store operations. The company said that the cuts are largely focused on support functions and will not impact customer-facing services. The move reflects a reassessment of its fintech ambitions amid increasing competition in Mexico’s digital wallet market, where multiple players have emerged in recent years.

Reuters

Brazil's new law to protect minors online

Brazil has launched a new law aimed at enhancing online safety for children and teenagers. The Digital Statute of Children and Adolescents requires users under 16 to link their social media accounts to a legal guardian. The legislation prohibits addictive features and mandates robust age verification mechanisms. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said: “Enough of tolerating exploitation, sexual abuse, child pornography, bullying, incitement to violence and self-harm just because it happens in the digital environment.” Guilherme Klafke, a law professor at Getulio Vargas Foundation, a think-tank and university, said the new framework “places more responsibility on those who offer digital products and services that may be accessed by children and adolescents.”

U.S. News

OTHER

Thailand expands gold shop safety measures

As gold prices hit record highs due to the Middle East conflict, police in Bangkok are intensifying efforts to prevent robberies at gold shops. The Metropolitan Police Bureau (MPB) has engaged shop owners to discuss security improvements, as criminals often target stores with weak security. MPB commissioner Pol Lt Gen Siam Boonsom noted that recent robberies highlighted the need for stronger measures. New guidelines include installing reinforced doors, surveillance systems, and limiting cash on hand. The Office of the Insurance Commission plans to update insurance policies to encourage better security practices among gold shops.

Bangkok Post

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