THE HOT STORY

Kmart faces class action over alleged systemic wage underpayment

A class action has been filed against Kmart in Australia’s Federal Court, alleging the retailer systematically underpaid salaried store managers over the past six years by failing to comply with workplace laws and industry awards. The claim alleges managers were required to work significantly beyond rostered hours -sometimes up to 60 hours per week - without receiving overtime, penalty rates, or allowances, and were often expected to perform unpaid work outside shifts and during breaks. The case, which focuses on salaried managers rather than hourly staff, follows similar legal actions against major retailers and raises concerns over the use of annualized salaries without proper reconciliation to actual hours worked.

ABC News

HIRING

Taiwan tightens crackdown on alleged poaching of tech talent

Taiwan is intensifying its crackdown on mainland Chinese firms accused of poaching local semiconductor talent. The Ministry of Justice Investigation Bureau (MJIB) has reported 100 cases since 2020, with 11 new firms under investigation for illegally recruiting Taiwanese workers. Abishur Prakash, a geopolitical strategist, noted this is a "quiet tech war" that is focused on human capital. Taiwan's actions are indicative of heightened concerns over the growing appetite for skilled workers in the semiconductor and AI sectors. The MJIB has mobilised 185 agents for the investigations, underscoring the high stakes in this ongoing competition for talent.

South China Morning Post

WORKFORCE

Thirties are the new twenties for women in Korea

The employment rate for women aged 30 to 34 in South Korea last year surpassed that of women aged 25 to 29 for the first time since 1995. The shift indicates a flattening of the traditional so-called "M-shaped curve" in women's employment, which typically declines due to childbirth and childcare. Min Se-jin, an economics professor, noted that the change is largely due to women prioritising careers and delaying marriage and childbirth.

Korea Joongang Daily

Sanitation crisis hits Lucknow ahead of elections

In Lucknow, over 200 sanitation workers have left for Assam to cast their votes in Assembly elections, causing significant disruptions in waste collection for around 70,000 households. The absence of one-third of the workforce from private agencies has led to irregular garbage collection, with residents reporting delays and accumulating waste. Abhay Ranjan, regional head of Lucknow Swachchta Abhiyan, said: "Garbage collection has been partially affected due to the shortage of workers." Civic officials expect the situation to normalise by April 15, as most workers are anticipated to return.

The Times of India

LEGAL

Accused ICC prosecutor can potentially resume work

The International Criminal Court's chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, can potentially resume his duties after a three-judge panel found insufficient evidence to support allegations of sexual misconduct. The panel's assessment, based on over 5,000 pages of evidence, concluded that the UN investigation did not establish misconduct. Mr Khan, who has denied all allegations, temporarily stepped down in May 2025. Staff members have expressed concerns about his potential return, fearing retaliation. One staff member said: "People are deeply afraid."

Daily Mail

The Times

ECONOMY

South Korea inflation hits 2.2% as oil price surge drives costs higher

South Korea’s consumer prices rose 2.2% year-on-year in March, slightly above the government’s 2% target, driven primarily by a sharp increase in global oil prices amid Middle East tensions. The Ministry of Data and Statistics said petroleum product prices climbed 9.9%, with diesel and gasoline rising 17% and 8% respectively, as disruptions to supply routes pushed energy costs higher. While agricultural prices declined 0.6%, services inflation rose 2.4%, and core inflation also came in at 2.2%, indicating broader underlying price pressures.

The Korea Times

Reuters

INTERNATIONAL

Supreme Court doubtful over Donald Trump’s birthright citizenship challenge

A majority of Supreme Court justices appeared sceptical of the Trump administration’s attempt to end automatic citizenship for those born in the country, in oral arguments ahead of a ruling that is expected by early July. The case, which tests what it means to be an American, could affect an estimated 250,000 children born to undocumented immigrants and temporary visitors each year. The administration says Trump's order, which would restrict birthright citizenship to babies with at least one parent who is a US citizen or green-card holder, would not apply retroactively, but Democrats say it would also strip millions of current Americans of their citizenship, as well as their ability to vote and obtain passports. Chief Justice John Roberts dismissed contentions by President Donald Trump’s top Supreme Court lawyer, Solicitor General D. John Sauer, that the US faced a “new world” in which so-called birth tourism was undermining the historic understanding of the nation. “Well, it’s a new world,” Roberts said. “It’s the same Constitution.”

Israeli tech firms struggle with worker shortages due to Iran war

The ongoing conflict with Iran has severely impacted the Israeli tech sector, with over 25% of employees absent due to reserve duty, school closures, and security concerns. A survey by the Israel Innovation Authority found that 50% of tech firms are struggling to meet development goals and product launch deadlines. “At present, the sector is facing a range of challenges related to human capital, supply chains, product development, and access to capital,” said Israel Innovation Authority chief executive Dror Bin. “Experience from recent years shows that the sector has proven its ability to recover quickly.” Karin Mayer Rubinstein, CEO of Israel Advanced Technology Industries (IATI), an umbrella organisation of high-tech firms operating in Israel, observed: “The main challenge now is the workforce shortage, where damage is caused for production and in the supply chain of companies that are manufacturing as well and have plants.”

The Times of Israel

Goldman and Citi tell Paris staff to work from home after thwarted BofA attack

Goldman Sachs and Citigroup have told their Paris staff they can temporarily work from home after a thwarted bombing at Bank of America’s office in the French capital last week. The police have said they suspect the foiled plot is linked to HAYI, a pro-Iranian group that ‌had ⁠posted a video naming Bank of America's Paris headquarters. However, prosecutors say the link is yet to be confirmed, Reuters notes.

Financial Times

Reuters

OTHER

Fonterra admits ‘grass-fed’ label could mislead shoppers after Greenpeace lawsuit

Fonterra has agreed to remove and not reuse its “100% New Zealand grass-fed” label on Anchor butter after settling legal action brought by Greenpeace, which argued the claim was misleading because cows were also fed non-grass products such as palm kernel expeller. The company acknowledged that the combined wording could mislead some consumers, particularly those unaware of typical dairy feed practices, although it did not concede that the term “grass-fed” alone is misleading.

Bloomberg

New Zealand Herald

Reuters

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