Malaysia – Gig economy workers not included in definition of worker, deputy minister says (Malay Mail)

Gig economy workers in Malaysia are not included under the definition of a worker under the Employment Act 1955 (Act 265); Labour Ordinance (Sabah Chapter 67) and the Labour Ordinance (Sarawak Chapter 76) according to Deputy Human Resource Minister Datuk Awang Hashim. Malay Mail reports that according...

Japan – Will Group first half revenue rises 9.9%

Japanese HR firm Will Group (6089:TYO), which focuses on temporary staffing, business contracting and recruitment, reported revenue of JPY 63.91 billion (USD 561.8 million) for the six months ended 30 September 2021, an increase of 9.9% when compared to the same period last year.

The group said demand...

Hong Kong – KOS International forecasts strong revenue and net profit growth

Recruitment firm Kos International (8042: HKG), based in Hong Kong, announced that it is expected to record revenue of not less than HKD 73 million (USD 9.3 million) for the nine months ended 30 September 2021.

This is compared to approximately HKD 49.1 million (USD 6.3 million) for the corresponding...

China – 51job provides update on merger agreement concerning regulatory changes

China-based job board and HR resource services provider 51job Inc. announced an update on its going-private transaction.

On 21 June 2021, the group announced that it entered into a definitive agreement and plan of merger with Garnet Faith Limited to be taken private in a deal valued at approximately USD...

Australia – Seek reports highest number of job ads on record

Job ads on job board Seek Australia were up by 63.2% in October 2021 when compared to October 2020 and up 44.0% when compared to October 2019.

October saw the highest number of job ads posted in a month in Seek’s history.

Seek job ads were up 10.2% month-on-month. Applications per job ad declined by...

Taiwan – Government aims to attract 100,000 foreign professionals by 2030 (Taiwan News)

Taiwan's National Development Council yesterday announced its goal of attracting 100,000 foreign professionals by 2030, reports Taiwan News. During a seminar on the recently passed amendment to the Act for the Recruitment and Employment of Foreign Professional Talent, NDC Deputy Minister Shih Keh-her...

Japan – UT Group first quarter net sales rises 36.8% but profits plummet

Engineering and technical staffing firm UT Group Co. Ltd. (2146:TYO) reported net sales on Friday rose by 36.8% in the first quarter. Operating profit was down 35.4%.

Japan – Nisso H1 revenue jumps 11.3%

Nisso Corporation (6569: TYO), a Japanese human resources firm providing staffing services, reported revenue today of JPY 36.69 billion (USD 323.5 million) for the first six months ended 30 September 2021, an increase of 11.3% compared to the same period last year.

Japan – Human Holdings downgrades revenue forecast but upgrades profit expectations

Human Holdings Co. Ltd. (2415:JP), a provider of human resource and employment services in Japan, announced a revision of its forecasted results for the year ended 31 March 2022, downgrading revenue to JPY 87.08 billion (USD 767.81 million), from the previously announced JPY 88.16 billion (USD 777.33...

Japan – Crie Anabuki announces H1 forecast upgrade

Japanese HR services provider Crie Anabuki (4336: JP) announced an upgrade to its financial forecast for the first six months ended 30 September 2021. Revenue was revised upward to JPY 3.07 billion from the previously announced JPY 3.00 billion (USD 26.45 million).

Operating income was also upgraded to...