Human Resources Online (Asia) - Latest News and Information
Malaysia will keep the BUDI95 petrol price at RM 1.99 per litre despite a sharp rise in global oil prices triggered by the West Asia conflict. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the surge threatens transportation costs and overall price stability, but the country’s petroleum reserves remain sufficient through May 2026. The government introduced cost‑saving measures, cancelled public events and limited overseas trips, and set up two committees to curb profiteering and monitor the war’s economic impact. A special cabinet meeting will review further actions.
Singapore may face higher electricity tariffs as global oil and gas prices climb amid the US‑Iran conflict in the Middle East. The region accounts for roughly a quarter of seaborne oil and nearly one‑fifth of LNG trade, and any disruption...
HRadiO’s latest episode spotlights Dr Patrick Maguire, co‑founder of Beecroft Animal Specialist & Emergency Hospital, as he shares leadership lessons from veterinary medicine. He argues that upcoming Veterinary Practice Bill regulations will elevate professionalism, accountability, and public trust rather than add...
Vietnam's Ministry of Industry and Trade has released a draft amendment to the foreign trade management law, aiming to close regulatory gaps and simplify procedures. The proposal addresses re‑import of exported goods, inconsistencies in Certificates of Origin, and limited authority...
CEO turnover in the Asia‑Pacific region hit a new high in 2025, with 87 departures—a 26% rise over 2024 and the most in seven years. A record 73% of the newly appointed CEOs were promoted from within, outpacing the global...
Standard Chartered’s 2025 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Impact Report shows women now hold 45.5% of board seats and half of its management team, up sharply from 23% board representation in 2016. Senior leadership women rose to 33%, and the bank...
Morgan McKinley’s Hong Kong Salary Guide 2026 shows annual pay rises staying modest at 3‑5% as firms tighten budgets. Hiring remains selective, with a clear shift toward skills‑based, value‑driven recruitment across all functions. HR business partners and generalists top the demand list,...
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated development projects in Delhi valued at roughly INR 33,500 crore, targeting transport, housing, and community services. The plan expands the Metro network to 375 km and adds 1,800 electric buses to improve last‑mile connectivity. New residential complexes will...
Singapore’s Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) warned of heavy congestion at the Woodlands and Tuas land checkpoints from 13 to 22 March 2026, coinciding with the March school holidays and Hari Raya Puasa. The agency is also tightening security inspections on travellers,...
Employers risk eroding trust and facing legal exposure when interview practices contradict their public employer‑brand promises. The Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices (TAFEP) outlines objective, competency‑based criteria, diverse panels, and rigorous record‑keeping to ensure fairness. With Singapore’s...
Malaysia has launched the Malaysian Gig Economy Commission (SEGIM) to coordinate the upcoming Gig Workers Act 2025, which will take effect on 31 March 2026. The Act introduces mandatory contract transparency, a dedicated Gig Workers Tribunal, and requires platform providers to enroll...
In 2025, Singapore’s public sector recorded 35 cases of delayed salaries, affecting roughly 0.02% of its 158,000 officers. The delays involved newly appointed officials whose appointment records were not updated in the payroll system in time. Once identified, the issue...
Singapore’s Ministry of Health unveiled three new measures to curb rising healthcare costs as the nation becomes a super‑aged society. From 2027, MediSave withdrawal limits will rise to S$700 for basic chronic care and S$1,000 for complex cases, while the...
The HR Vendors of the Year 2025 recognized fourteen firms across Malaysia and Singapore for breakthrough HR solutions. Info‑Tech captured gold in both markets, while BIPO Service Malaysia and Mercer took silver and bronze respectively. Finalists showcased a range of tools...
PwC’s 2025 Hong Kong Workforce Hopes and Fears Survey reveals that 61% of local employees are using AI at work, with 22% engaging with generative AI daily—below the 29% Asia‑Pacific average. The majority report productivity gains (77%) and higher work...
Deepfake and voice‑cloning technologies are now cheap and highly convincing, prompting a wave of fraud incidents across Asia‑Pacific workplaces. Legal experts warn that manipulated audio‑video can trigger financial loss, data breaches, and even sexual‑harassment claims, stretching existing fraud and privacy...
Philips’ International Mobility Partner for APAC, Justin Kwok, emphasizes that global mobility must evolve from a compliance‑focused function to a strategic business driver. Drawing on over 12 years of experience, Kwok highlights clarity, partnership and flexibility as the pillars enabling...
The 2025 HR Vendors of the Year awards highlighted six platforms that are redefining gig workforce management in Singapore and Malaysia. As organisations shift from spreadsheets to purpose‑built solutions, the demand for scalable onboarding, real‑time coordination, and compliance has surged....
Chinese New Year and Ramadan coincide this year, prompting workplaces to balance festive celebrations with fasting employees' needs. Human Resources Online recommends scheduling CNY events earlier, making participation optional, and acknowledging Ramadan in communications. It also suggests adapting the lohei...
The HR Vendors of the Year 2025 awards in Singapore and Malaysia highlighted the leading employee engagement platforms in the region. Rewardz captured the gold award in Singapore, while Fermion took gold in Malaysia, with Achievers, Pacific Prime, Budaya by Leaderonomics...
Malaysia’s fourth‑quarter 2025 demographic report shows population growth decelerating to 0.6%, reaching 34.3 million. Live births fell 5.4% while the elderly share rose to 8.0%, indicating an ageing trend. Labour demand grew 1.8% to 9.21 million jobs, the strongest since Q1 2024, with...
Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower (MOM) told Parliament that AI’s effect on jobs hinges more on business activities and specific roles than on firm size. The ministry is analysing whether AI will complement or replace workers across both SMEs and multinational...
Singapore’s 2026 Budget, delivered by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, projects growth slowing to 2‑4% and introduces a suite of measures to keep the city‑state competitive. For employers, the budget raises the minimum qualifying salary for new Employment Passes to $6,000...
Thailand’s Ministry of Labour has launched a free nationwide vocational training programme aimed at informal and vulnerable workers, with a focus on culinary skills for the service and tourism sectors. The initiative, announced on 21 January 2026, provides a daily...
