The latest business Intelligence for HR professionals and people managers everywhere
Sign UpOnline Version
APAC Edition
9th May 2024
 
THE HOT STORY
Thousands of Woolworths employees could work four days a week
Around 14,000 Woolworths retail workers in Australia may have the opportunity to work four days a week, thanks to a proposal backed by a key union. The Shop Distributive and Allied Employers Association NSW secretary, Bernie Smith, stated that the proposal was overwhelmingly endorsed by workplace delegates. The proposal would allow staff to complete their 38-hour five-day working week over four days by working four 9.5-hour shifts. However, only 14,000 full-time Woolworths employees would be eligible for this arrangement. The proposal is part of a new enterprise agreement that covers approximately 130,000 retail workers. The vote on the agreement is expected to be completed by mid-June. Woolworths has not yet commented on the proposal. The Australian Workers Union and the Retail and Fast Food Workers Union have not yet approved the agreement, with the latter rejecting some key elements. The proposal has been criticized as offering limited benefits to workers, with concerns raised about potential changes to part-time workers' rosters without agreement.
LEGAL
China tightens state secrets law in latest national security move
China has revised and broadened its State Secrets Law (SSL) for the first time since 2010, as it aims to tighten procedures for protecting and restricting the disclosure of state secrets. The changes, which took effect on May 1, 2024, are part of China's efforts to expand and enforce national security-driven regulations. The Revised SSL creates challenges for foreign-invested companies operating in China, particularly in terms of data acquisition, management, use, and transfer. Cross-border transfers of data are subject to additional scrutiny and requirements. The definition of "state secrets" remains unchanged, allowing for broad interpretation and extensive government discretion. The Revised SSL introduces new articles that expand the scope of confidentiality obligations to all stakeholders, including non-state parties and foreign-invested companies. Chinese authorities are granted increased powers to conduct inspections and investigations. The Revised SSL also protects "work secrets" generated by state agencies and organizations. The changes pose challenges for due diligence, investigations, and compliance programs in China. They may also lead to increased enforcement actions and deter whistleblowers.
TCS employee claims he was suspended for reporting security incident
A Reddit user has claimed that he was suspended from Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), India's largest IT services company, for reporting a security incident. The person reported that his manager was making employees use their personal laptops and share login credentials. Despite TCS's policy that "no action can be taken against whistleblowers," the user said he received a suspension notice. The user sought advice on Reddit on how to handle the situation, as he said that HR and managers were unhelpful. Suggestions from other users included posting about the incident on LinkedIn and bringing it to the attention of higher authorities.
Australian museum plans lavatory transformation to circumvent discrimination ruling
An Australian museum, the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA), is considering transforming a women-only exhibit, called the Ladies Lounge, into a lavatory to circumvent a court ruling that ordered the museum to admit men. The Ladies Lounge, which is furnished with elegant green silk drapes, takes the concept of a traditionally male Australian pub environment and reverses themes of entitlement and gender discrimination. It has been closed since the ruling. The artist and curator behind the exhibit, Kirsha Kaechele, stated that the lavatory will be installed within the next 45 days and will be celebrated as the "greatest toilet" that men won't be allowed to visit. The museum's curators also launched an appeal to challenge the court's ruling, arguing that it took a narrow view of women's historical disadvantage. The lavatory installation will enable the exhibit to be declared a women-only space without violating anti-discrimination laws. Men will only be allowed into the exhibit on Sundays, where they will be taught how to iron and fold clothes. “Women can bring in all their clean laundry and the men can go through a series of graceful movements ( . . . refined by tai chi masters) to fold them,” said Kaechele.
REMUNERATION
Chinese lawyer in the spotlight for online side hustle
A lawyer in China is facing criticism for her online side hustle, which she uses to supplement her low salary, South China Morning Post reports. The 25-year-old lawyer, based in Shanghai, revealed that she earns 5,000 yuan ($690) from her job but 20,000 yuan from 'edge-ball' live-streaming. Edge-ball is a term borrowed from ping pong which refers to sexualised live-streaming activities that are not categorised as pornography. She argues that her salary is not enough to survive in Shanghai. The lawyer's provocative videos have led to calls for her account to be closed.  She is still practicing at the law firm, but her employer has ordered her to delete the videos. The Shanghai Bar Association is currently investigating the claims. The controversy has sparked a debate about the income disparity between lawyers and live-streaming hosts. One observer said: "A professional lawyer who has studied hard for over 10 years can only earn 5,000 yuan a month, but a sexy live-streaming hostess can earn 20,000 yuan. What a society."
WORKFORCE
Australia raises visa requirements for international students
Australia has announced that it will raise the savings requirement for international students applying for visas in an effort to control record migration. From Friday, international students must show proof of savings of at least A$29,710 ($19,576) to obtain their visa, marking the second increase in seven months. The move comes as the government tightens student visa rules due to a surge in migrants following the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions. English language requirements for student visas were also recently increased. Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil has sent warning letters to 34 education providers for fraudulent recruitment practices, stating that they could face jail time and be banned from recruiting students. Australia's international education sector is one of its largest export industries, contributing A$36.4bn ($24bn) to the economy in 2022/23. However, the influx of international students has put pressure on the rental market and led to a rise in net immigration. The government aims to significantly reduce migration levels in the coming years.
HIRING
Royal Caribbean Group aims to recruit thousands of workers to meet cruise demand
Cruise operator Royal Caribbean Group is in discussions with new and existing markets around the world to recruit thousands of workers to staff its ships and private destinations to keep up with record cruise demand. The number of people taking cruises hit a record in 2023, and with the surge in demand and larger vessels, labour needs are growing. Royal Caribbean is looking to hire worldwide and plans to hire around 10,000 workers this year. The company's sea-based workforce at the end of 2023 totaled about 88,700 employees, 6% lower than the year prior, according to the company's annual filing. The company's land-based workforce including private destinations consisted of approximately 9,500 full-time employees, up 17%. "The recruiting strategy follows the business strategy of moderate capacity growth," a spokesperson said.
DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION
Japan's foreign ministry sees increase in female diplomats
When Masako Owada joined Japan's elite diplomatic corps in 1987, she was one of only three female recruits. Since then, Japan's Foreign Ministry has made significant progress in gender equality, with women now comprising nearly half of each entering class of diplomats. The ministry, led by Yoko Kamikawa, has placed women in career-track, professional jobs, offering more flexible hours and remote work options. However, women in the diplomatic corps still face challenges, including long working hours and the burden of domestic duties. Japan is turning to women to address labour shortages, but barriers remain, with only about one in eight managers being female. Experts emphasize the need for employers to support working mothers and create a better work-life balance.
CORPORATE
China calls for greater tax incentives from Korea for foreign companies
Chinese business leaders have requested that the Korean government extends greater tax credits and incentives for their companies operating in Korea. The China Chamber of Commerce in Korea (CCCK) made the request during a meeting with National Tax Service (NTS) Commissioner Kim Chang-ki and officials from the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency. They expressed gratitude for the agency's efforts to provide tax assistance to foreign businesses but called for expanding tax incentives for investment by foreign companies. The CCCK also asked for more foreign firms to receive an "honourable taxpayer" distinction in recognition of their compliance efforts. Kim vowed to ensure fair taxation and equal treatment for domestic and foreign companies and to establish a stable and predictable tax environment. This was the first meeting between the Korean tax agency and Chinese companies.
SUSTAINABILITY
Employees are asked not to iron their clothes
An Indian firm has introduced Wrinkled Monday, a new initiative to support the environment. The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has asked its staff to wear wrinkled clothes on Mondays as part of the 'Wrinkles Acche Hai' (WAH) campaign. The objective of WAH is to cut down on carbon dioxide emissions caused by ironing clothes. Dr N Kalaiselvi, the secretary of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, explained that ironing a set of clothes emits nearly 200g of carbon dioxide. By wearing non-ironed clothes, one can help minimise the emission of carbon dioxide, he said.  The initiative is part of CSIR's broader endeavour to conserve energy and fight climate change.
REGULATION
Hedge fund Segantii charged with insider trading by Hong Kong regulator
Hong Kong's regulator has charged hedge fund Segantii with insider trading, accusing the firm, one of its veteran traders, and founder Simon Sadler of crossing a legal line in the pursuit of market-moving information and profits. The allegations have raised questions about how the firm operates and how banks and clients may react. Segantii, which has $4.8bn in assets under management, has listed nine banks as its prime brokers, including BNP Paribas, JPMorgan Chase, and Goldman Sachs. Some of these banks are reviewing their ties and exposures to Segantii in the wake of the charges. The maximum penalties for insider dealing in Hong Kong are a HK$10m ($1.3m) fine and 10 years' jail time.
INTERNATIONAL
Belgium approves employment law that gives sex workers new rights
Belgium has become the first country to approve an employment law that grants sex workers new rights, including access to pensions, health insurance, and maternity leave. The law allows sex workers to sign employment contracts with pimps, giving them rights they previously did not have. They also gain access to unemployment and family benefits, annual leave rights, and the ability to refuse clients and sexual acts. The law provides protections against job-related issues and enforces strict working conditions for pimps. Pimps must be registered with the government and meet specific criteria to run brothels. UTSOPI, the union for sex workers in Belgium, said that the new policies still need to be developed to ensure the laws benefit all sex workers and do not harm the most vulnerable.
Minimum wage rise drives automation in UK
April’s 9.8% increase in the UK minimum wage is already being reflected in hiring patterns, leading to employers cutting back hours and hiring fewer people to cope with the rise. James Reed, chief executive of Reed, said: “We have seen some employers changing their behaviour. They might be taking on people for shorter periods or fewer hours or fewer of them because of the increasing cost.” The mandatory pay increase is particularly acute for large employers and has led to an increase in companies looking for ways to automate processes using artificial intelligence. Mr Reed explained: “A lot of the early gains that they are beginning to experience are in processes that might have been done by people and are being replaced by machines. You see that in accounting and IT. A lot of code is now just being written by AI.”
OTHER
Chinese tourists spend less during Labor Day holiday
Chinese tourists made more trips during the recent Labor Day holiday, but their spending remained low compared to 2019. Per-visitor spending fell by 11.5% during the holiday, indicating that people are more interested in traveling than spending money. Chinese households continue to be cautious with consumption despite economic growth. The holiday season also saw a shift in travel preferences, with more tourists opting for cheaper destinations and small towns. Social media accounts promoting tourism in small towns have gained popularity, and the expanding high-speed rail network has made it easier for travelers to explore different places. Inbound and outbound tourism also increased during the holiday, with China restoring more air routes and expanding visa-free arrangements.
 


The Human Times is designed to help you stay ahead, spark ideas and support innovation, learning and development in your organisation.

The links under articles indicate original news sources. Some links lead directly to the source material. Others lead to paywalls where you may need a subscription. A third category are restricted by copyright rules.

For reaction and insights on any stories covered in the Human Times, join the discussion by becoming a member of our LinkedIn Group or Business Page, or follow us on Twitter.
Follow us on FacebookFollow us on TwitterFollow us on Linkedin

This e-mail has been sent to [[EMAIL_TO]]

Click here to unsubscribe