New Skills and Workforce Development Agency in Singapore to Provide Single Touchpoint for Career Guidance, Training & Job Matching
Singapore will create the Skills and Workforce Development Agency (SWDA) by merging SkillsFuture Singapore and Workforce Singapore, consolidating career guidance, training and job matching under one statutory board. The agency, slated to launch in the third quarter of 2026, will use AI‑driven tools like the "Career Kaki" to deliver predictive, anticipatory support for workers at all career stages. Employees of the two legacy agencies will transfer on terms no less favourable, with reskilling pathways and wellbeing programs in place. SWDA will also serve employers by unifying grants, labour‑market data and transformation programmes into a single platform.
OCBC Expands Coaching Programme to Malaysia and Hong Kong, Targets 100 Accredited Senior Leader-Coaches by 2027
OCBC has rolled out its internal leadership‑coaching programme to Malaysia and Hong Kong, adding 25 senior leaders to the cohort and bringing the total pool to over 85 across three markets. The bank aims to certify 100 senior leaders with...
‘AI Trainer’ Emerges as Top Cross-Border Hiring Role Among Large Hong Kong Enterprises
Deel’s State of Global Hiring Report shows AI trainer is now the top cross‑border hiring role among large Hong Kong enterprises, overtaking mobile app developers and business developers. Smaller Hong Kong firms continue to focus on software developers, sales managers...
Are You Doing Enough to Prevent Workplace Harassment?
The Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices (TAFEP) outlines three practical steps for leaders to curb workplace harassment: recognising hidden forms such as cyberbullying, establishing transparent reporting channels, and enforcing a zero‑tolerance policy backed by training. It stresses...
Wesak Day and Agong’s Birthday 2026: Do Employees Get an Extra Day Off on 2 June?
Malaysia’s Ministry of Human Resources clarified that Wesak Day on Sunday, 31 May 2026, may generate a replacement holiday on Tuesday, 2 June 2026, but only for employees whose weekly rest day is Sunday and whose employers have elected Wesak as a paid public...
CARSOME and Darwinbox Partner to Reinvent Employee Experience with AI-First HR and Native Payroll for 3,000 Employees Across Southeast Asia
CARSOME, Southeast Asia’s largest integrated car‑e‑commerce platform, has appointed Darwinbox as its strategic HR‑technology partner to deploy an AI‑first Human Capital Management suite for over 3,000 employees across Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand. The rollout began with core HCM functions...
Newly Formed Tripartite Jobs Council to Support Workers and Businesses Through AI Transformation
Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower, NTUC and the Singapore National Employers Federation are launching a Tripartite Jobs Council (TJC) to guide the nation’s AI transition. The council will coordinate AI‑responsible adoption, sector‑wide training and targeted support for workers whose roles are...
National HR Policy, Post-Maternity Leave Allowance, and More: Malaysia's New Measures to Support Workers
Malaysia's Ministry of Human Resources endorsed Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's Labour Day announcements, unveiling the first National Human Resources Policy 2026‑2035 to coordinate skills, labour and social security. The government introduced a post‑maternity leave allowance of up to 30 extra...
Faces of HR: Josh Skorupa on Knowing when to Pivot – or Kill – AI-Enabled Work that Creates No Value
Josh Skorupa, Head of Digital Transformation & Capability at Singapore’s GovTech, says AI is a foundational infrastructure, not a strategy. He urges leaders to focus on clear business outcomes and to halt AI projects that deliver no value. Skorupa’s experience...
Hong Kong Raises Statutory Minimum Wage to HK$43.1 per Hour Effective 1 May 2026
Hong Kong will raise its statutory minimum wage to HK$43.1 per hour (about $5.5 USD) on 1 May 2026, up from HK$42.1. The new rate applies to all employment categories, including part‑time staff and workers with disabilities who can opt for a...
Number of Online Job Postings Jumped 108.8% to 588,148 in Q3 2025, DOSM Data Shows
Online job postings in Malaysia surged 108.8% in Q3 2025, reaching 588,148 listings—the strongest growth since Q3 2021. The services sector dominated, contributing 77.2% of postings, while professional occupations accounted for 45.6% (268,178 jobs). Companies advertising vacancies rose to 77,615, up from...
Majority of Retrenchments in Q1 2026 Were Due to Business Reorganisation or Restructuring: MOM
Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower reported that Q1 2026 retrenchments held steady at 3,700, matching the previous quarter and equating to 1.5 layoffs per 1,000 employees. The bulk of these job cuts were linked to internal business reorganisation rather than a broader...
As Costs Rise, Should Singapore Employers Rethink Flexible Work Arrangements?
Rising fuel and utility costs are prompting Singapore firms to reconsider flexible work arrangements (FWAs) as a cost‑mitigation tool. Lawyers stress that under the Tripartite Guidelines on Flexible Work Arrangement Requests (TG‑FWAR), employers must follow a clear, documented process and...
Labour Day 2026: 5 Small Workplace Changes that Can Make a Big Difference Across Generations
The Labour Day 2026 article outlines five simple workplace adjustments that can significantly improve employee experience across generations. It recommends everyday recognition, crystal‑clear expectations, frequent short check‑ins, respecting personal time, and actively seeking employee input. These low‑effort actions are positioned...
Behind the Win: Philip Morris Is Transforming the Future Through Culture, People, and Care
Philip Morris International’s Hong Kong subsidiary, Philip Morris Asia Limited, clinched three HR Excellence Awards, showcasing a culture built on care, collaboration and innovation. The firm highlights a 300‑strong local workforce that taps into PMI’s global network of 83,000 employees across...
"Design to a North Star": DBS’ Lam Chee Kin Calls for Legal Profession Redesign Amid AI and Burnout Pressures
DBS Group Head Lam Chee Kin, alongside Justice Hri Kumar Nair, launched the Hackathon for a Better World (H4BW) 2026 to overhaul the legal profession in Singapore. The two‑month, learn‑as‑you‑hack event gathers over 40 multidisciplinary teams to address cross‑border capability, responsible...
Kuala Lumpur Led Formal Sector Wages in Dec 2025, Exceeding National Median of RM3,167
Malaysia's formal sector saw median monthly wages rise 4% year‑on‑year to RM3,167 (≈ $697) in December 2025, while total formal employment expanded 3.6% to 7.08 million workers. Male workers earned slightly more than females (RM3,167 vs. RM3,120). Kuala Lumpur posted the highest state...
Labour Day Travel Rush: Heavy Traffic Expected at Woodlands and Tuas Checkpoints
Singapore’s Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) has issued a warning of heavy congestion at the Woodlands and Tuas land checkpoints from April 30 to May 3, coinciding with the Labour Day long weekend. The agency cited the recent Good Friday weekend, when...
Sarawak Announces 2026 Public Holiday Replacements for Wesak Day, Gawai Day & Agong’s Birthday Overlap
Sarawak’s Manpower Department released guidance for 2026 public‑holiday overlaps involving Wesak Day, the Yang di‑Pertuan Agong’s Birthday and the two‑day Gawai celebration. Under the Sarawak Labour Ordinance, the Agong’s Birthday is a compulsory holiday that cannot be substituted, while Wesak...
When Silence Speaks Loudest: Rethinking Psychological Safety in the Workplace
Legal expert Carolyn Ng and education leader Dr Venka Purushothaman argue that psychological safety is no longer a soft HR initiative but a legal liability risk, especially in Malaysia where recent statutes criminalise psychological harm and define harassment, bullying and constructive dismissal. They...
Who Made the Cut? Presenting the Employee Experience Awards 2026, Singapore Finalists
Human Resources Online has announced the finalists for the 2026 Employee Experience Awards in Singapore, selected after a rigorous review of submissions across 43 categories by a panel of 18 senior HR leaders. The awards evaluate organisations on four pillars—leadership,...
KESUMA Affirms Support for Flexible Work Adoption as Firms Report Improved Productivity and Retention
Malaysia’s Ministry of Human Resources (KESUMA) has endorsed Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s call for private‑sector flexible working arrangements (FWAs) as a strategic response to economic pressures. More than 5,340 organisations have already adopted FWAs, with 62% reporting higher productivity, over...
ILO Committee Urges Immediate Action as About 20,000 Seafarers Remain Stranded in Strait of Hormuz
On 24 April 2026, the International Labour Organization’s Special Tripartite Committee warned that roughly 20,000 seafarers are stranded in the Strait of Hormuz amid escalating regional conflict. The committee urged all ILO member states, flag states, and shipping companies to...
Up the Ranks: Rohini Sachitanand Undertakes Role of Head of People & Culture, APAC at NTT DATA, Inc.
Rohini Sachitanand has been appointed Head of People & Culture for APAC at NTT DATA, Inc., reporting to the global chief people officer from Singapore. She emphasizes listening to teams, data‑driven talent pipelines, and inclusive leadership as the foundation for the region’s...
The Majority of Senior Management Roles in MNCs Are Held by Singapore Residents, MOM Data Shows
Singapore citizens and permanent residents dominate senior‑management positions in multinational corporations, holding 84.7% of such roles in 2025, according to Ministry of Manpower data. Citizens account for 67.3% and PRs 17.4%, while Employment Pass holders comprise only 15.3%. The concentration...
Inside the Mind of a Rewards Leader
ENGIE’s APAC rewards overhaul, led by CHRO Eugene Loh, focuses on building a robust job architecture that balances regional consistency with local relevance. The strategy emphasizes phased implementation, stronger governance, transparent communication, and data‑driven decision‑making. Early wins include the global...
From Chiang Mai to Helsinki: Places to Bookmark for a Reset-and-Recover Break
A Fresha study shows global searches for “wellness retreats” jumped 22% year‑on‑year, signaling a shift from burnout to intentional recovery. The research ranked Chiang Mai, Thailand as the top wellness city, followed by Helsinki, Finland and Harrogate, UK. These destinations excel...
Paper Maternity Leave Certificates to Be Replaced with Electronic Versions From 24 April 2026 in Hong Kong
Hong Kong’s Hospital Authority will replace paper maternity‑leave certificates with digitally signed electronic versions starting 24 April 2026. The new certificates, issued by doctors and midwives, will be stored automatically in the HA Go mobile app and feature an encrypted QR code for...
Snapshot: Cathay United Bank’s Quek Li Ling on Why Culture Isn’t Built by HR Alone
Cathay United Bank Singapore’s Quek Li Ling, who heads Human Resources, General Affairs and Marketing Communications, argues that culture cannot be built by HR alone. By overseeing three distinct portfolios, she connects policy, branding and workplace experience into a holistic...
Employees Affected by WRP Asia Pacific's Closure to Receive Claims and Job Support: KESUMA
The Malaysian Ministry of Human Resources announced coordinated support for 1,426 employees displaced by the abrupt shutdown of glove manufacturer WRP Asia Pacific in Sepang, Selangor. A meeting with the liquidator, JTKSM, SOCSO and PDRM resulted in a pledge to...
Case Study: How a "Switch‑off" Culture Delivered 91% Compliance, Zero Productivity Loss, and Lower Attrition at MOFSL
Motilal Oswal Financial Services Limited (MOFSL) instituted a "switch‑off" culture that mandates eight‑to‑ten‑hour workdays and embeds wellbeing into performance metrics. The initiative achieved 91% compliance for more than 1.5 years, with no measurable dip in productivity and a 10% drop...
The Big Reveal: Meet the Finalists of the Employee Experience Awards 2026, Thailand
The Employee Experience Awards 2026 in Thailand have announced their finalists, covering 45 categories that highlight innovative people strategies and measurable business results. This third‑year programme, judged by senior HR leaders, underscores the shift of HR from a support role to...
Direct Recruitment System for Foreign Workers Still at Research Stage, Says KESUMA
Malaysia’s Ministry of Human Resources (KESUMA) clarified that a proposed digital platform for direct foreign‑worker recruitment is still in the research stage, with no decisions or contracts signed. The AI‑driven system would let employers source workers directly from source countries...
Indonesia's Manpower Minister Yassierli Urges Firms to Treat Trade Unions as Partners, Not Enemies
Indonesia’s Manpower Minister Yassierli urged companies to view trade unions as strategic partners rather than adversaries during the signing of Bridgestone Tire Indonesia’s 16th collective labour agreement. He emphasized that unions help protect workers’ rights while supporting business continuity, productivity,...
MCMC Issues Security Guide for Remote Work: Key Risks and What Employers Can Do to Ensure Employees Work Safely
The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has issued a security guide aimed at protecting employees who work from home under the Bekerja Dari Rumah (BDR) scheme. The advisory warns that personal devices and unsecured home networks heighten exposure to...
No Penalty Hike Needed for Now as Compliance with Mandatory Retrenchment Notification Requirement Has Improved, Says MOM
Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower (MOM) reports that compliance with the Mandatory Retrenchment Notification (MRN) requirement has risen sharply, with 81% of filings submitted within the five‑day deadline in 2025, up from 67% in 2024. Companies with ten or more staff...
Hong Kong Labour Department to Refine Heat Stress at Work Warning System From 20 April 2026 to Better Protect Workers
Hong Kong’s Labour Department will upgrade its Heat Stress at Work Warning system on 20 April 2026, adding data from nine additional monitoring stations to the existing King’s Park site. A warning will now be issued when four or more stations record...
Managing Workplace Stress: 5 Practical Tips that May Help Leaders and Teams Stay Balanced
Mental health remains the leading health concern globally for the third consecutive year, with 45% of respondents across 30 countries flagging it as a top issue, according to the Ipsos Health Service Report 2025. In Asia, more than half of...
Greater Bay Airlines to Reportedly Suspend Bangkok Flights From Mid-May to September
Greater Bay Airlines announced it will suspend most Hong Kong‑Bangkok flights from mid‑May through September 2026, citing surging global oil prices and market volatility. The airline also flagged limited service reductions on selected Taipei routes. Only two flights in early...
When Salary Disputes Turn Into Illegal Employment Risks: What HR and Employers Can Take Away From the Ali Md Kawsar...
The Ali Md Kawsar case shows how a routine salary‑arrear claim can spiral into illegal employment. After reporting unpaid wages to Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower, the worker filed a claim with TADM, which issued a Special Pass and a Change...
Hong Kong Sevens 2026: Special Traffic and Transport Arrangements in Place From 17-19 Apr 2026
The Hong Kong Sevens 2026 will take place at Kai Tak Sports Park from April 17‑19, prompting the Transport Department to roll out special traffic and transport measures. Police may set up temporary diversions around the venue, while the MTR...
Land Transport and Related Matters Act in Singapore: 3 Key Changes and What They Mean for HR
Singapore’s Land Transport and Related Matters Act 2026, passed on 5 February 2026, amends the Road Traffic Act and the Road Vehicles (Special Powers) Act. Effective 14 April 2026, it makes disqualification periods for serious traffic offences minimum baselines, allows courts to impose longer,...
Skills Gaps in Singapore's Workforce: Nearly 50% Say These Cause Increased Workload for Other Staff
A Ministry of Manpower and NTUC study finds 24.3% of Singapore employers facing skills gaps, which push nearly half of them to increase workloads for other staff and hamper quality standards. Gaps are most acute in specialised PMET roles, with...
Temperatures in Parts of Malaysia Hit up to 37.3°C as Uneven Rainfall Signals Rising Heat Risks Nationwide
Malaysia’s Meteorological Department reported a mix of soaring temperatures and spotty heavy rain on April 13, with Kuala Krai reaching a sweltering 37.3 °C. At the same time, Kuching recorded the day’s highest rainfall at 44.6 mm, underscoring uneven precipitation across the archipelago. Minister...
The Wait Is Over: Meet the Finalists of the Employee Experience Awards 2026, Malaysia
Human Resources Online announced the finalists for the 2026 Employee Experience Awards in Malaysia on 14 May, highlighting organisations that have turned bold people strategies into measurable employee outcomes. The sixth edition reflects a shift toward integrated, end‑to‑end experience programs that...
Singapore's Labour Market Remains Resilient, but Hiring May Slow in 2026 Amidst Global Uncertainty: MAS Review
Singapore’s labour market ended 2025 on a solid footing, adding 17,700 jobs in Q4 and keeping unemployment at 2.8%. Growth was buoyed by non‑resident construction workers and steady resident hiring in domestic‑oriented and modern services. MAS warns hiring will moderate...
Up the Ranks: Tapaswee Chandele Named Global CPO at The Coca-Cola Company, Succeeding Lisa Chang
The Coca‑Cola Company announced that Tapaswee Chandele will assume the role of Global Chief People Officer on May 1, 2026, succeeding Lisa Chang after a seven‑year tenure. Chandele, a 25‑year Coca‑Cola veteran, most recently served as Senior Vice President and Executive Assistant to CFO...
Taiwan Relaxes Incentive Eligibility and Wage Thresholds for Part-Time Workers Aged 55 or Above
Taiwan's Ministry of Labor broadened its women re‑employment programme, allowing any woman out of work for more than 180 days to earn up to NT$60,000 (≈$1,920) in staggered incentives. It also raised employer subsidies to NT$5,000 (≈$160) per month for...
Talentbank Announces Winners of Graduates’ Choice Award 2026: Malaysia’s Most-Voted Graduate Employers Revealed
Talentbank unveiled the 2026 Graduates’ Choice Award winners, identifying Malaysia’s most‑voted graduate employers across finance, technology, FMCG, healthcare, telecom, energy, professional services and digital platforms. More than 740,000 votes were cast by students from over 100 universities, making it the...
Purpose Before Position: Singapore’s First Female President Halimah Yacob on Earning Trust and Leading Through Uncertainty
Singapore’s first female President, Halimah Yacob, joined DBS CEO Tan Su Shan for a fireside chat at the bank’s International Women’s Day 2026 event. She emphasized that purpose and trust are the foundations of effective leadership, drawing on her labour‑movement...