Japan – Number of temporary agency workers steady in January, seasonally adjusted unemployment rate up slightly

Japan’s non-regular employees, which includes temporary workers, dispatch workers, contractors, part-time workers and others, totalled 20.87 million in January 2022, steady when compared to the same period a year ago, according to data from Statistics Japan.

The number of ‘dispatched workers from...

Malaysia – Online recruitment up 43% in January, led by upsurge in retail sector

Online recruitment in Malaysia increased by 43% in January 2022 when compared to January 2021, according to data from the Monster Employment Index (MEI).

The Monster Employment Index (MEI) moved to 67 in January 2022 from 47 in January 2021.

When compared to December 2021, online job demand reported an...

Malaysia – Family job guarantee initiative helps create 1,200 new jobs as over 42,000 found employment in January (Malay Mail)

A total of 42,166 people found employment while 1,200 new jobs were created in January, reports the Malay Mail. The country’s prime minister highlighted that the JaminKerja Keluarga Malaysia initiative (Family Job Guarantee initiative) launched on 19 February is on track to achieve the target of creating...

Singapore – SMEs partner with union to fight workplace gender bias (The Straits Times)

Small and medium-sized enterprises in Singapore are partnering with the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) to stamp out gender bias and harassment in the workplace, reports The Straits Times. A series of memorandums of understanding to be inked this week will give 22 SMEs access to the National Trades...

Singapore – Advancer Global makes offer to acquire industrial real estate firm G3 Limited

Advancer Global (43Q:SES), a workforce solutions and services provider in Singapore, announced that its subsidiary, Advancer Global Facility Pte. Ltd, together with an independent third party financial investor made an indicative offer to Tee Infrastructure Private Limited proposing the acquisition of...

Asia Pacific – Most employees are actively looking for new jobs or open to new opportunities in 2022: Hays

Employees across Asia Pacific reported lower satisfaction with their jobs in 2022, according to a report from Hays. The data from the report showed 81% of employees are either actively looking for a new job or indicated being open to opportunities.

Hays’ research surveyed 9,598 skilled professionals...

Malaysia – Parliament to debate landmark bill that could make gig workers employees (Malay Mail)

Malaysia’s federal government is set to table a landmark amendment bill at the lower house of Parliament, that could permanently compel gig-based tech companies to provide their workers the rights and privileges enjoyed by formal employees, reports Malay Mail. The amendment bill, among others, proposes...

Japan – Government to accept Ukrainian refugees as retail chain promises jobs for 100 refugee families (Asia Financial)

Japan will accept Ukrainian refugees fleeing Russia’s invasion, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said, in a break with the country’s usual reticence to accept humanitarian arrivals, reports Asia Financial. The private sector weighed in on the issue, with discount store chain Pan Pacific International...

China – 51job enters revised merger agreement with Garnet Faith

China-based job board and HR resource services provider 51job Inc. announced that it has entered into an amendment to its previously announced agreement and Plan of Merger on 21 June 2021 with Garnet Faith Limited.

Pursuant to the amended merger agreement, and subject to the terms and conditions thereof,...

Japan – Pasona Group lists subsidiary Bewith Inc. on Tokyo Stock Exchange

Japanese staffing firm Pasona Group announce that its consolidated subsidiary Bewith, Inc. was listed on the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

Bewith is involved in the provision of contact center and BPO services using digital technologies as well as the development and sales of various AI and...