Malaysia to help more SMEs resume business activities
Malaysia’s economic recovery will depend on SMEs getting back on their feet, suggested Malaysia’s International Trade and Industry Minister.
Philippines falls into recession for the first time in almost 3 decades
This represents the biggest slump in quarterly GDP data dating back to 1981, and plunges the Philippines into recession.
Thai businesses to receive financial support
A loan from the Asian Development Bank will help the Thai government give more support to SMEs in the country.
Malaysia wants local workers to fill jobs gap
The country’s HR Minister reassured local citizens will be given priority when it comes to any available job openings.
Uber extends work-from-home option for employees
Uber employees can choose to continue working from home through June 2021, even if offices open before then.
Tigerair Australia to be grounded permanently
Virgin Australia will also layoff about a third of its workforce as the carrier aims to rebrand as a “value airline”.
HSBC to speed up 35,000 job cuts after profits plunge
The London-based bank, which makes 90% of its profits in Asia, saw its profits for the first half of the year plunge 65%.
Are Thai workers ready to work from home?
Takorn Tantasith, former secretary-general of Thailand’s NBTC, envisions Thailand as a WFH hub for the world.
SMEs in Malaysia need more help to recover from COVID-19
Without an extension of a loan moratorium, many SMEs are at risk of closing down, warned the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers.
Unions halt ‘unacceptable’ retrenchment exercise by employer
NTUC, together with three unions, has reached an amicable agreement with a SIA Engineering-linked company on the retrenchment.
Singapore records highest unemployment rate in more than a decade
As of June 2020, there were 90,500 unemployed residents, of whom 79,600 were citizens.
SIA Engineering-linked company criticised over handling of layoffs
The company has reportedly laid off 144 workers over three days without providing prior notice or proper reason.
Nearly 65,000 lost jobs this year: Malaysia HR Minister
The Malaysian government has taken steps to help displaced workers find employment by introducing a hiring incentive and training assistance programme.
MOM: Helping displaced Singaporeans find jobs “topmost priority”
Minister for Manpower Josephine Teo also expressed her commitment to ensuring essential workers get “fair opportunities” to progress.
Nike announces job cuts as part of restructuring
Nike said the new structure would be “nimbler” and “flatter” and lead to a streamlining of its corporate leadership team.
LinkedIn to lay off 6% of global workforce
The company made the announcement after demand for its recruitment products has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Australia extends wage subsidy support till 2021
Subsidies will be reduced under the extended program, which is expected to help about 1 million workers and last till 2021.
Many risk being left behind by digitisation
If internet inequality is not adequately addressed, millions around the world could find themselves without a job, warned Microsoft president.
Small and medium-sized businesses struggling to stay afloat
From January to May 2020, more than one-quarter of businesses have closed down because of COVID-19, according to a new report.
Australia’s unemployment rate hits 22-year high
A surge of employment after the reopening of Australia’s economy was not enough to offset the increase in the number of jobseekers.
Resorts World Sentosa lays off staff, to give them “fair compensation”
The integrated resort operator said the vast majority of local staff have been retained while all affected workers will get a “fair compensation”.
8 million people could lose jobs in the Philippines
The Philippines is set to have the highest unemployment rate in Southeast Asia this year, according to the latest report.
Turning crisis into opportunity: Transparency breeds trust
In his upcoming new book, Laurence Smith charts the top 10 things leaders should do to turn crisis into opportunity.
Malaysia’s unemployment rate highest in over 30 years
Despite the record unemployment rate, there are signs of economic recovery in the Southeast Asian country.
Singapore enters into technical recession
COVID-19 drove Singapore’s economy into a 41.2% contraction in the second quarter of 2020, as the government warns of a long recovery ahead.
COVID-19 depresses real wages in Japan
Household spending continues to decline as a constricted Japanese labour market sees real wages dropping at its fastest rate in five years.
NTUC Job Security Council to help affected workers find new jobs
It will also help companies in Singapore meet manpower needs by mobilising workers from firms with excess manpower.
Business leaders paint gloomy outlook for Thai economy
The Thai Chamber of Commerce expects more jobs to be on the line, as the economy is expected to contract by 5%-8% this year.
COVID-19 halts business operations in Vietnam
More than 29,000 businesses have had to suspend operations in Vietnam in the first half of 2020, reported the General Statistics Office of Vietnam.
Companies in South-east Asia prepare for business restructure
61% of businesses in the region expect a significant or worse decline in annual revenue in the wake of COVID-19, new survey shows.