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APAC Edition
20th May 2024
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THE HOT STORY
South Korea and UK to co-host global AI summit in Seoul
South Korea and the United Kingdom will co-host the second global AI summit in Seoul this week. UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol will oversee a virtual summit on Tuesday, discussing the need for better regulation of artificial intelligence. The summit aims to address AI safety, innovation, and inclusion. A report released on Friday highlights the risks associated with AI, including labour market impacts, AI-enabled hacking, and society losing control over general-purpose AI. The report emphasizes that the future of AI will be determined by societies and governments. The summit also acknowledges the widening risks posed by AI, such as AI inequality, data scarcity, copyright issues, and environmental impact. The attendees of the summit are yet to be confirmed. In addition to the global AI summit, a separate AI forum hosted by South Korea expects the participation of industry experts from companies like OpenAI, Google DeepMind, and Microsoft.
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LEGAL
Unions push for employees' right to disconnect from employers
The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) is calling for the right to disconnect from employers to be included in minimum workplace conditions. The ACTU wants this right to be locked into modern awards by the Fair Work Commission. The right to disconnect allows workers to ignore unreasonable communication from their bosses outside of work hours, promoting a better work-life balance. ACTU President Michele O'Neil argues that changes in technology should not undermine an employee's right to be paid for extra work and to be able to switch off. The union believes that the right to disconnect is crucial for addressing cost-of-living issues and improving mental health. However, businesses argue that a strictly enforced right to disconnect impacts the flexibility of modern working conditions. The union's submission to the Fair Work Commission comes in response to Opposition Leader Peter Dutton's promise to revert to coalition-era workplace laws.
Payouts for illegally sacked Qantas workers could be linked to whether they sought another job
Payouts for illegally fired Qantas workers could be linked to whether they looked for another job, the Federal Court has heard. The Transport Workers' Union has sued the carrier after almost 1,700 workers were retrenched and then outsourced in early 2020 as the pandemic first took hold in Australia. In July 2021, Justice Michael Lee found the move was designed to deprive workers of being able to bargain for a new enterprise agreement and, as such, was in violation of employment law. Following an unsuccessful appeal by the airline to both the Full Court and the High Court, the case is once again in the Federal Court for further hearings to determine how much, if any, compensation is payable. Justice Lee has queried whether any payout should be made at all to workers who hadn’t taken reasonable steps to find other employment. "(If) there was a job on offer and they said 'well I'm not interested', where do we go?" he said.
TECHNOLOGY
Artificial intelligence could boost Hongkongers' productivity by up to 47%
Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to significantly improve productivity and salaries for workers in Hong Kong, according to a study by Amazon Web Services (AWS). The study found that workers with AI expertise could see their salaries increase by up to 28%. Additionally, AI could enhance organizations' productivity by up to 47%. However, the study also revealed that 76% of employers lack the knowledge to implement AI training. Despite this, Hong Kong is ahead of its global peers in AI usage, with 84% of employees using AI in their jobs. Finance workers in particular are optimistic about the impact of AI on their careers, with 71% expecting a positive impact.
WORKFORCE
Minimum wage hike will benefit migrant workers more than Thais, says chamber of commerce
A hike in the minimum daily wage would primarily benefit migrant workers rather than Thai labourers, according to the Suphanburi Chamber of Commerce. The chamber's president, Weera Tangwutthikraiwit, stated that a wage hike is a "double-edged sword" as it leads to higher costs and impacts the salary system of small and medium-sized enterprises. Currently, only 20% of those earning a minimum wage in Thailand are Thai workers, while the remaining 80% are migrant workers from Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam. Weera explained that much of the salary earned by migrant workers would be sent back to their home countries, resulting in less spending within Thailand. The Foreign Work Administration Office reported that there are 3.32 million migrants working in the Kingdom. The provinces with the highest number of migrant workers are Bangkok, Samut Sakhon, Samut Prakan, Chonburi, and Pathum Thani. Weera also noted that most Thai workers already earn a higher daily wage than migrant workers, and paying a minimum wage is becoming rare as most jobs now require skilled labour.
India's jute workers blame politicians for their problems
Jute, one of India's largest industries, is facing a crisis in Bengal state. The closure of the Delta Jute Mill has left thousands of workers unemployed and struggling to make ends meet. Bengal's jute, known as the golden fibre, provides income to millions of people and fulfills 95% of India's jute demand. However, the industry is in decline, with mills operating at reduced capacity and facing stiff competition from Bangladesh. The state's jute workers complain that politicians only pay attention to them during elections and have failed to address their living conditions and pending gratuities. The crisis has become a major issue in the ongoing national election, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi blaming the ruling Trinamool Congress for the industry's demise. However, the workers are disillusioned with both the ruling party and the opposition BJP. They are now looking to the Communist Party of India (Marxist) for solutions.
AI expert calls for universal basic wage to combat job losses
Former Google vice president Geoffrey Hinton, a top AI expert, has called for humans to be paid a universal basic wage to combat the job losses caused by robots. Hinton believes that while a universal basic income can solve the problem of starvation and inability to pay rent, it does not address the issue of self-respect derived from jobs. He warns that the rise of robots will be detrimental to society and that blue-collar and mid-level intellectual jobs will be lost to AI. However, he suggests that trades like plumbing may be safe for now. Hinton's concerns align with predictions from the International Monetary Fund and the Institute for Public Policy Research, which estimate that a significant percentage of jobs worldwide will be affected by AI. 
HEALTH & SAFETY
Heat stress threatens factory workers in Ahmedabad
A study conducted in Ahmedabad, India, suggests that factory workers, particularly those in steel rolling mills and foundries, are facing potentially hazardous heat stress. The investigation, led by researchers from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, found that workers endure temperatures that exceed safety limits set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). In winter, temperatures breach the 27.5°C limit, while in summer, steel mills reach scorching temperatures of up to 50.6°C. Both steel rolling mill and foundry workers experience elevated heart rates and oral temperatures, often surpassing OSHA safety limits. The study highlights the need for improved cooling systems, ventilation, and access to cool water for workers. It also emphasizes the importance of investing in personal protective equipment (PPE) that is comfortable for workers. The study urges better regulation and enforcement of safety measures in factories to protect workers from heat stress.
REMOTE & HYBRID WORKING
Countries wooing corporate digital nomads hope to make them stay
“Digital nomad” visas are increasingly being used by countries to attract remote corporate workers, say mobility experts, as governments seek to outbid each other in a global war for talent.
INTERNATIONAL
UK tax authority is recruiting staff with AI alone
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC), the UK's tax authority, is using artificial intelligence (AI) in its staff recruitment process. Candidates don't interact with a human until their first day on the job. The recruitment process involves candidates submitting a CV and a 1,000-word statement, followed by a video interview with an automated system. The video interview consists of six questions, and the candidates record their answers after each question. HMRC uses a technology platform called Outmatch to analyse the video interviews and score the candidates against civil service standards. While AI can be helpful in identifying suitable candidates, Adam Al-Badry at recruiter Robert Half argues that human interaction is crucial to assess cultural fit.
Dutch trade unions could soon begin protests and strikes over early retirement
Dutch trade unions FNV, CNV, and VCP are readying for labour actions after the government failed to respond to their ultimatum regarding a permanent retirement arrangement for physically demanding jobs. The unions have announced that protests will begin in May and may escalate to strikes. The current Early Retirement Scheme expires at the end of the year, and the unions are advocating for a broader and more comprehensive arrangement. Negotiations with employee organisations broke down in December. FNV chair Piet Rietman stated that strikes will become increasingly severe if a permanent arrangement is not agreed upon. VCP chair Nic van Holstein emphasized the importance of a good retirement arrangement for certain employees. The unions say they are determined to fight for the rights of workers in physically demanding jobs.
OTHER
Thai cannabis advocates urge government to rethink marijuana recriminalisation
Dozens of Thai cannabis advocates have urged the government to reconsider its decision to re-list marijuana as an illegal narcotic, just two years after decriminalising it. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has proposed allowing cannabis use solely for medical purposes, citing addiction and the negative impact on young people caused by illicit drugs. Pro-cannabis groups have met with the health minister to express their concerns about the policy reversal. Critics argue that the previous government rushed the liberalisation process, resulting in confusion and misuse. Thailand has a long history of using marijuana for pain relief and traditional medicine. While some cannabis businesses support comprehensive regulations, others emphasize the need to support farmers, retailers, and medical users. The industry is projected to be worth up to $1.2bn by 2025.
 


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