Why Are Singapore’s Younger Workers Less Engaged?
The Gallup Singapore Workplace Report 2026 reveals a stark generational divide: employees under 35 are markedly less engaged and experience higher daily stress than older colleagues. Only 14% of Singapore’s workforce reports being engaged, while 53% of younger workers cite daily stress versus 37% of seniors. Leaders attribute the gap to high living costs, compulsory national service, career uncertainty, and outdated workplace practices. Minister of State for Manpower Dinesh Vasu Dash proposes a three‑pillar model of a "good job" to boost engagement and productivity.
Faces of HR: John K. Tan on the 3 Principles Every Total Rewards Leader Needs – Procedural Justice, Planning &...
John K. Tan, Global Organisational Architecture & Total Rewards Leader at Louis Dreyfus Company, emphasizes that effective total rewards go beyond framework design. He champions three pillars—procedural justice, meticulous implementation, and transparent communication—to ensure fairness and employee trust. Tan also...
Cathay Pacific to Further Cut Fuel Surcharges From 1 July 2026
Cathay Pacific announced a 14.5% reduction in fuel surcharges for all short‑, medium‑ and long‑haul flights effective 1 July 2026, while fees on Hong Kong‑Mainland routes stay unchanged. The new surcharge levels are HK$290 (~$37) for short‑haul, HK$541 (~$69) for medium‑haul, and HK$1,164...
Wrongful Dismissal in Malaysia: When Is a Termination Unfair, and when Is It Justified?
The Malaysian Industrial Court upheld the dismissal of a back‑end developer after just two days, confirming that employers can terminate a probationer early if the employee demonstrably lacks the skills required. The case, LZC v TW World Technology, involved a RM12,000...
Japan to Triple Tourist Tax and Raise Visa Fees Fivefold From 1 July 2026
Japan will triple its international tourist departure tax to ¥3,000 (about $20) and raise single‑entry visa fees to ¥15,000 ($100) and multiple‑entry fees to ¥30,000 ($200) starting 1 July 2026. The changes, the first visa‑fee revision in 48 years, aim to curb...
Selangor and Kuala Lumpur Are Malaysia’s Top Local Tourism Hotspots as Spending Hits RM121.3bn in 2025
Malaysia’s domestic tourism surged in 2025, with visitor spending climbing 13.6% to RM 121.3 billion (≈ $27 billion). Domestic trips rose 11.5% to 290.1 million, and the average stay lengthened to 2.56 nights. Selangor and Kuala Lumpur topped state visitation, drawing 36.4 million and 35.1 million travelers...
Employees More Likely to Quit when AI Makes Promotion and Pay Decisions
A new study by the Chinese University of Hong Kong Business School finds that employees are significantly more likely to consider quitting when artificial intelligence makes key HR decisions such as promotions, pay raises, and performance reviews. The research, based...
Vietnam Targets Shorter Airport Queues with VNeID, Biometrics, and Automated Gates Under New Scheme
Vietnam approved a new scheme under Prime Minister Decision No. 1066/QD‑TTg to modernise aviation security and cut airport queues. The roadmap emphasizes digital tools, biometric ID, AI‑driven control systems and integration with the National Population Database. By 2027, more than 60%...
Dragon Boat Festival: Special Traffic and Transport Arrangements to Note in Hong Kong
Hong Kong’s Transport Department announced special traffic and transport measures for the Dragon Boat Festival on 19 June 2026. Roads in the Southern District, including Hoi Fung Path and Stanley Link Road, will close to most vehicles from 6 am to 9 pm, while several...
Hiring with AI: What Happens when the Algorithm Gets It Wrong?
Employers are rapidly integrating AI tools into recruitment to automate CV screening, shortlisting, and interview scheduling, promising faster hiring cycles and broader talent reach. Pilot programs report up to a 20% reduction in time‑to‑hire and 30% time savings in screening,...
Up the Ranks: Soorya Themudu Takes on Senior Vice President, Global Talent & Development Role at Sodexo
Sodexo has promoted Soorya Themudu to Senior Vice President, Global Talent & Development. In her new role she will steer the company’s worldwide talent, culture, learning and succession agenda, aiming to build future‑ready leaders and a high‑performance, values‑driven culture. Themudu...
Diesel Subsidy: Sabah, Sarawak, and WP Labuan Land Transport Vehicles Urged to Register Under SKDS Immediately
The Malaysian government is urging all goods and public land‑transport operators in Sabah, Sarawak and WP Labuan to register immediately under the Subsidised Diesel Control System (SKDS) to retain diesel‑subsidy benefits. As of 14 June 2026, 8,060 companies and 29,631 vehicles have enrolled,...
AI, Burnout, and a Shrinking Talent Pool: What 2025 Taught Us About the Future Workplace
The International Bar Association’s Global Employment Institute released its 14th Annual Global Report, surveying lawyers in 48 countries on employment‑law trends in 2024‑25. The study highlights five recurring challenges—remote‑work models, skilled‑worker shortages, AI adoption and data‑privacy concerns, workplace safety, and...
Ilja Rijnen on Why Transformation Stalls when Old Habits Win
Ilja Rijnen, VP People Partner APAC & Global Head of Talent Development at GEA Group, argues that AI can boost people outcomes by cutting administrative load and surfacing workforce patterns, but human judgment must remain central. He notes that most...
MyDigital ID to See Enhanced Security Features with Facial Biometric Verification Upgrades
Malaysia’s National Security Council announced a new security upgrade for the MyDigital ID platform, adding real‑time facial biometric verification linked to the National Registration Department database. Existing users will be prompted to complete periodic facial re‑verification to maintain identity integrity....