World – Covid-19 worsens conditions for job seekers ages 45 and up

Covid-19 has worsened employment conditions for midcareer job seekers, those aged 45 and older. A new report found that 37% of midcareer workers switching jobs and 50% of those seeking work say age has had a major impact on their employment status. Meanwhile, employers perceive candidates ages 45 and...

New Zealand – Trio makes 12-hour round trip in tractors to highlight need for overseas workers (Stuff.co.nz)

An agriculture contractor, his friend and son drove their tractors in a 12-hour round trip to Auckland, New Zealand, to protest government restrictions, Stuff.co.nz reported. The contractor, Phil Hawke, says he usually hires four to five skilled workers from overseas to operate heavy machinery but now...

Singapore – Kris Infotech acquires majority stake in AGS Tek Partners, plans US expansion

Singapore-based IT consulting firm Kris Infotech has acquired a 60% stake in US-based IT consultancy and staffing firm AGS Tek Partners.

Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.

To drive its ambitious expansion plans in the US and across North America, Kris Infotech is hiring industry veteran,...

World – OECD employment rate rises marginally but wide disparities seen across countries

The employment rate for the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) area rose to 66.8% in the first quarter of 2021, from 66.7% in the previous quarter.

In Japan, the employment rate fell year-on-year by 0.3% to 77.6% in the first quarter. The employment rate rose by 0.3% compared...

Australia – Labour hire firms, including Adecco and Outsourcing accused of avoiding tax (The Canberra Times)

Labour hire firms in Australia supplying workers to understaffed federal agencies are receiving the equivalent to 20% of the government's spending on public service wages, while many of the firms avoid taxes, reports The Canberra Times, citing advocates for tax accountability and justice. Centre for...

Vietnam – Pandemic to cast shadow over labour market in H2 (VNExpress)

An upcoming rise in Covid-19 cases in Vietnam will influence many businesses to postpone or limit their recruitment plans, reports VNExpress, citing data from recruitment firm Navigos. The research found that many companies delayed their recruitment or curtailed their hiring in the second quarter, and...

Singapore – Hiring activity jumps 5.5% in June and soars above pre-pandemic levels

Singapore job postings were 35.6% higher in June when compared to 1 February 2020 (pre-pandemic) and increased by 5.5% in the month of June alone, according to data from Indeed.

Job postings in every occupation category were above pre-pandemic levels. Leading the way were production jobs, where postings...

World – Business leaders plan adopt hybrid working model post-pandemic

More than half, or 59%, of executives across the world say their businesses will adopt a hybrid working model post pandemic; yet one in four believe their leaders lack the skills to manage the workforce they want to build, according to survey research from KellyOCG.

The survey also found that less than...

Singapore – Government affirms commitment to support more women in workforce

Singapore’s Minister of Manpower highlighted the country’s commitment to encouraging and sustaining women’s participation in the workforce in the G20’s Labour and Employment Ministerial Meeting.

Minister for Manpower Tan See Leng delivered a speech on the topic of ‘How to progress on the path...

China – Job vacancies up 28% in Q2 (South China Morning Post)

Job vacancies in China grew in the second quarter of the year, although the increase was uneven across sectors and regions, reflecting the nation‘s patchy economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic, reports South China Morning Post, citing data from the China Institute for Employment Research...