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Tag: work

  • Experience Hybrid Work Life at Logi Cafe: Logitechs Pop-Up Office Oasis with Ten Thousand Coffee in Taiwan

    Experience Hybrid Work Life at Logi Cafe: Logitechs Pop-Up Office Oasis with Ten Thousand Coffee in Taiwan

    Logitech, the global leader in computer peripherals, has teamed up with Ten Thousand Coffee to present Logi Café, a temporary initiative in Taiwan designed to transform cafés into flexible workspaces. This unique experience allows customers to interact with and explore Logitech’s extensive collection of innovative productivity devices.

    Creating Mobile Workspaces with Logi Café

    Active until the end of August, this experience is hosted in five different Ten Thousand Coffee locations across Taiwan, all under the banner ‘Work Anywhere With Logi.’ There are two primary venues, the Breeze Center and Q Square in Taipei, which offer dedicated experiential zones. Here, visitors have the unique opportunity to test the functionality of Logitech products within the authentic setting of a café environment.

    The Logi Café display features Logitech’s diverse array of portable and ergonomic devices. Visitors can engage with products such as the Mobi wireless folding mouse, the Keys-To-Go 2 Bluetooth keyboard, the MX series peripherals, and the complete Ergo collection. Additionally, customers can discover the AI-powered productivity features offered by Logitech’s Options+ software.

    This unique campaign was designed to reflect the contemporary shift towards hybrid work patterns. Cafes are increasingly seen as alternative workspaces for both professionals and students. The Logi Café initiative seeks to illustrate how Logitech’s lightweight peripherals can enhance productivity not only within traditional office spaces but beyond.

    Logitech’s Expansion into Retail

    In 2023, Logitech Singapore joined forces with Watsons to distribute a curated range of lifestyle and technology items across Singapore’s brick-and-mortar stores. This move into physical retail spaces further exemplifies Logitech’s commitment to delivering its innovative products directly to the consumer in a variety of settings.

    Questions & Answers

    What is Logi Café?
    Logi Café is a temporary initiative launched in Taiwan by Logitech in partnership with Ten Thousand Coffee. It transforms cafés into mobile workspaces where consumers can experience Logitech’s latest productivity devices.

    What products can visitors test at Logi Café?
    Visitors to Logi Café can explore a range of Logitech’s portable and ergonomic devices, including the Mobi wireless folding mouse, Keys-To-Go 2 Bluetooth keyboard, MX series peripherals, and the Ergo collection. They can also discover the AI-powered productivity features offered by Logitech’s Options+ software.

    What is the aim of Logi Café?
    Logi Café is designed to reflect the current shift towards hybrid working, demonstrating how Logitech’s lightweight peripherals can enhance productivity not only within traditional office spaces but also in alternative workspaces such as cafés.

  • Hidden Financial Strain: Singapore’s Workforce Grapples With High Out-of-pocket Expenses

    Hidden Financial Strain: Singapore’s Workforce Grapples With High Out-of-pocket Expenses

    A recent study by Airwallex, an international financial platform, reveals an overlooked financial burden weighing heavily on Singapore’s workforce. The study shows that a significant portion of workers are spending a substantial amount of money on work-related expenses before reimbursement, leading to a growing demand for changes in corporate policies.

    The research indicates that almost two-thirds of Singaporean employees spend up to S$5,000 annually on business-related expenses from their own pockets. Furthermore, 23 percent spend up to S$15,000, and a startling 5 percent spend over S$20,000 each year. The sectors with the most significant out-of-pocket spending are the hospitality and leisure industry, manufacturing, and education, with 15 percent, 13 percent, and 8 percent of their employees spending above S$20,000 respectively.

    Reimbursement Delays and Rising Tensions

    The issue of high employee spending is compounded by lengthy reimbursement wait times. The study shows that about 19 percent of workers wait between three and four weeks to be reimbursed, with some waiting even longer. Although most employees believe reimbursements should be processed within four to five business days, only 6 percent are reimbursed on the day they spend. According to the report, this discrepancy between expectation and reality points to a systemic problem in expense management across various industries.

    Personal Finance Strains

    The financial impact of delayed reimbursements is telling, with 41 percent of workers reporting financial stress due to slow repayments. Younger employees, those between the ages of 18 and 34, are the hardest hit. Disturbingly, 28 percent have had to withdraw from personal savings to cover business expenses, and 52 percent resort to using credit cards, which exposes them to potential interest charges and debt. This strain has also led to behavioral changes in the workplace, with 12 percent of employees avoiding company events to evade upfront costs, and 7 percent quitting their jobs due to poor reimbursement procedures.

    Need for Reforms

    The demand for modern solutions is strong among employees. A significant 85 percent of respondents believe that the introduction of corporate cards would mitigate reimbursement concerns by reducing out-of-pocket spending and financial pressure. In the face of challenges in talent retention and economic volatility, experts argue that improving expense management processes is no longer a luxury but a necessity for maintaining employee satisfaction and welfare.

    Corporate Solutions

    Lionel Tan, Director of Account Management, SME & Growth at Airwallex, comments on the company’s commitment to helping businesses streamline their financial operations. Through simplifying expense management, they aim to alleviate the pressure on employees who would otherwise be out of pocket, while providing businesses with better visibility and control over company expenditure. Airwallex’s tools, such as instant reimbursements, real-time spending controls, and integration with accounting platforms, are designed to increase the efficiency of companies both domestically and internationally.

    Financial Well-Being at the Forefront

    With financial well-being becoming a crucial element in employee retention and workplace morale, adopting smart, digital-first tools like those offered by Airwallex could be a pivotal moment. For Singapore’s workforce, where a large number continue to pay to work, technology might finally bring about the speed, transparency, and fairness they have been seeking.

    Questions & Answers

    What percentage of Singaporean employees spend up to S$5,000 annually on out-of-pocket work-related expenses?
    Approximately two-thirds of Singaporean employees spend up to S$5,000 annually on business-related costs out of pocket.

    What impact do delayed reimbursements have on employees?
    Delayed reimbursements contribute to financial stress among employees. This is particularly significant among younger workers aged 18-34. Employees have also reported needing to use personal savings or credit cards to cover business expenses due to slow repayments.

    What solutions do employees believe would help alleviate reimbursement concerns?
    A significant 85 percent of respondents believe that the introduction of company corporate cards would mitigate reimbursement concerns by reducing out-of-pocket spending and financial pressure.

  • Meta, Volvo and Writers at Work lead the conversation on WhatsApp with Omnichat

    Meta, Volvo and Writers at Work lead the conversation on WhatsApp with Omnichat

    The Commerce Leadership Forum 2025 Series, organized by Omnichat, a frontrunner in omnichannel AI customer experience platforms, recently took place at the Meta offices in Singapore and Malaysia. The event brought together key figures from companies such as Meta, Volvo Car Malaysia, and Writers At Work to delve into the transformative influence of AI, data-driven insights, and the WhatsApp Business Platform on customer engagement.

    The Power of Messaging for Business

    The global trend of businesses using messaging platforms is growing, as evidenced by over 1 billion people interacting with business accounts weekly on Meta’s messaging services. Vicky Yiu, APAC Strategic Partnership Manager at Meta, highlighted the effectiveness of messaging as a means of customer engagement.

    Latest research suggests that 79% of global online adults engage with businesses through messaging on a weekly basis. The WhatsApp Business Platform, including its ‘WhatsApp Flows’ tool, provides interactive chat experiences, facilitating efficient and user-friendly exchanges such as data collection and appointment scheduling.

    Albert Tiong, Regional Program Manager of Meta, demonstrated how Meta Business Messaging can lead to better results across the entire customer lifecycle, compared with traditional channels. From discovery and awareness to consideration, purchase, and re-engagement, two-way conversations enhance marketing, sales, and support outcomes. Businesses that have started using paid messaging products have seen a doubling in numbers year-on-year.

    Integrating WhatsApp into Business Communications

    Patricia Yaw, Director of Marketing Operations and PR at Volvo Car Malaysia, is spearheading the brand’s digital transformation, illustrating that even traditional sectors can progress through conversational commerce. By implementing a centralized chat strategy, Volvo Car Malaysia has been able to deliver a personalized customer experience exclusively through WhatsApp. This strategic shift to a unified WhatsApp Business Platform took place during the brand’s EX30 launch, which set new records for the brand in terms of test drive bookings, media impressions, and PR share of voice.

    WhatsApp has demonstrated impressive performance metrics, including a staggering 93% read rate and a click-through rate seven times higher than that of email. Further, the chatbot effectively handles one out of every four discovery questions, underscoring its efficiency in managing user inquiries.

    AI-Driven Conversational Commerce

    Alan Chan, founder and CEO of Omnichat, highlighted the transformative effect of AI-driven conversational commerce. He discussed how businesses can use automation and personalization to boost sales and improve customer satisfaction.

    “AI-powered conversational agents are revolutionizing how businesses interact with customers,” he said. “Omni AI allows businesses to create tailored AI agents for various purposes, train them by uploading documents and resources, and enable them to deliver faster and more accurate responses. From providing round-the-clock instant support to sending hyper-personalized recommendations, AI enables companies to engage customers effectively at all touchpoints.”

    WhatsApp for Operations and Engagement

    Ang Kai Ning, HR and Finance Director at Writers at Work, revealed how their education center strategically uses the WhatsApp Business Platform, facilitated by Omnichat, to improve various aspects of their operations. WhatsApp has become more than just a messaging app, transforming into a dynamic platform for interactive engagement, promotional messaging, efficient announcement scheduling, and responsive customer service.

    They achieved a 77.71% read rate and an 11.85% click-through rate on webinar promotions, resulting in a 90% turnout. Moreover, chatbot automation handled 75,000 customer messages last year, with 99% of these on WhatsApp, demonstrating the platform’s role in optimizing communications, boosting engagement, and driving results.

    The Commerce Leadership Forum 2025 Series highlighted the value of collaboration and innovation in business growth. By uniting thought leaders and industry experts, the event inspired attendees to adopt new technologies, use data-driven insights, and rethink customer engagement strategies for the digital age.

    Questions & Answers

    What is the significance of the WhatsApp Business Platform for customer engagement?
    The WhatsApp Business Platform provides interactive chat experiences that enable efficient and user-friendly exchanges such as data collection and scheduling. This platform has demonstrated high engagement rates, with a remarkable 93% read rate and a click-through rate seven times higher than that of email.

    How can AI-driven conversational commerce benefit businesses?
    AI-driven conversational commerce allows businesses to create custom AI agents for various purposes. These agents provide faster and more accurate responses, offer round-the-clock instant support, and send hyper-personalized recommendations. This technology revolutionizes customer interactions, enhancing engagement at all touchpoints.

    What role does WhatsApp play in an organization’s operations?
    Besides being a platform for messaging, WhatsApp can also be used for promotional messaging, efficient announcement scheduling, and responsive customer service. It has been effective in streamlining communications, boosting engagement, and driving results, as evidenced by a high turnout rate for webinar promotions.

  • Shingda Group Streamlines Operations: A Bold Move for Singapore’s Construction Industry

    Shingda Group Streamlines Operations: A Bold Move for Singapore’s Construction Industry

    In a strategic move to elevate its IT capabilities, Shingda Group, a civil engineering and construction powerhouse based in Singapore, has embraced a cutting-edge cloud management platform. This innovation aims to enhance operations across remote construction sites, where digital resources are often sparse.

    By implementing a hub-and-spoke VPN architecture, Shingda has streamlined connectivity and fortified security across various locations, bridging its remote sites to headquarters with newfound efficiency. The company selected Zyxel Networks’ Nebula cloud management platform for this pivotal transition.

    Since its deployment, Shingda reports an impressive 60 percent increase in network management efficiency. The IT team is experiencing a remarkable transformation, completing troubleshooting and configuration tasks up to 70 percent faster, saving valuable time and resources.

    “We needed a solution that would keep our sites connected, secure, and manageable,” shared Joshua Pek, IT Manager at Shingda Group. The integration with Zyxel Networks’ equipment allows the IT team to swiftly diagnose and resolve issues from a single, unified dashboard — no more juggling multiple tabs like a circus performer just to configure devices!

    Building a Centralized Network for Enhanced Control

    Shingda Group’s revamped network infrastructure features GS1920 Series smart managed switches with Power over Ethernet (PoE) capabilities and WAX510D WiFi 6 access points, ensuring robust connectivity even in high-density environments. Security is prioritized via ATP Series firewalls and branch devices such as the ATP200, SCR50AXE, and USG20-VPN.

    All these components are seamlessly managed through Nebula’s centralized cloud platform, offering full network visibility and automatic topology mapping. This centralized approach eliminates the need for spreadsheets to track IP addresses or credentials, liberating staff from cumbersome manual processes.

    As a result, team members now enjoy streamlined logins, reliable WiFi coverage, and uninterrupted site-to-site connectivity, allowing them to focus on what truly matters — the projects at hand.

    Questions & Answers

    What prompted Shingda Group to adopt a cloud management platform?
    The company aimed to modernize its IT infrastructure and improve operations at remote construction sites where resources are typically limited.

    How has the implementation of the Nebula platform impacted Shingda’s network management?
    Shingda reports a 60 percent boost in network management efficiency and a significant reduction in the time needed for troubleshooting and configuration tasks.

    What key features does Shingda’s new network setup include?
    The network setup includes GS1920 Series smart managed switches, PoE-enabled WiFi 6 access points, and robust ATP Series firewalls, all managed through Nebula’s centralized cloud platform.

  • 43% of job seekers are under 40

    43% of job seekers are under 40

    In the first quarter 43% of job seekers were aged 30–39 and 37% were in the 20–29 age group, according to statistics from the Ministry of Home Affairs.

    They are from the quarterly labor market bulletin compiled by the ministry’s Institute of State Organizational and Labor Sciences based on data from 18,000 job seekers on recruitment websites, 25,000 employers and 200,000 job postings.

    The candidates were most concentrated in business administration, sales, procurement and brokerage, marketing, and advertising, while employers were mainly looking for workers in engineering, transportation and sales.

    Pham Ngoc Toan, director of the institute’s Center for Strategic Forecasting and Public Service Information, said job seekers used a variety of methods, including in-person visits, public employment service centers, and online job portals.

    The 30–39 age group accounting for a large proportion of job seekers is a trend normally seen early in the year, he said, explaining that it usually has work experience and skills and often seeks changes in position, salary or working environment making it more prone to job-hopping.

    “This doesn’t necessarily mean they are unemployed — it is often about job transition, as reflected in the drop in the unemployment rate compared to the previous quarter.”

    However, this figure also reflects challenges in the labor market.

    The under-40 group is more vulnerable to the so-called “mid-career job trap” as traditional jobs are increasingly being replaced by technology and younger workers enter the market.

    Whether workers are replaced or not depends heavily on their ability to adapt to evolving job requirements, which can be vastly different even compared to just two years ago.

    Global economic conditions and U.S. tariff policies are also expected to impact Vietnam’s labor market in the coming months.

    Toan advised workers to improve their IT skills to better prepare for future opportunities.

    In Q1 demand was highest for workers with university degrees or higher (nearly 53%), followed by those with college or vocational training (40%).

    Only 7% of positions required no technical qualifications.

    Around 51% of job seekers held university degrees or higher, and 29% had vocational or college qualifications.

    A mismatch was noted in temporary jobs, with demand accounting for just 8% of vacancies while 32% of job seekers were looking for such roles.

    The outlook for the next quarter depends largely on domestic business activities, which could be influenced by U.S. tariff policies, particularly in labor-intensive sectors like electronics and garments.

    On the other hand, recruitment is expected to rise in sales, customer service, logistics, transportation, and construction, driven by increased public spending in construction projects.

    Nearly 145,000 people applied for unemployment benefits in Q1, down by almost 30,000 from the final quarter of 2024.

    Nearly 124,000 were approved for benefits, while only 3,600 opted for vocational training support.

    Unskilled workers remained the largest group applying for unemployment benefits (60%) followed by university graduates (19%), college graduates (over 7%), vocational secondary graduates (6%), and those with basic vocational certification (8.5%).

    In terms of occupations, workers in the garment and related industries accounted for the largest share of claimants at 21%, followed by assemblers (7%) and sales staff and accountants (3.6% each).

  • Gen Z grapples with shrinking job market

    Gen Z grapples with shrinking job market

    Many Gen Z people are struggling to find jobs as businesses scale down operations amid the economic downturn.

    Ho Chi Minh City has over 300,000 businesses, but none of them were willing to hire Thanh Nga, 25, last year.

    “I have experience in customer service but was not able to find a job after submitting CVs to over 50 businesses in HCMC, Da Lat and Binh Duong,” she says.

    She looked for a job on online platforms and social media groups.

    “In 2018 usually somebody would call me soon after I submitted my CV, but last year I received no call most of the time.”

    Nga is among an increasing number of Gen Z people, or those born between 1997 and 2012, who are struggling to find jobs in the post-Covid economy.

    Youths accounted for 41.3% of unemployed people last year, up from 37.6% from 2022. This meant 437,300 people aged between 15 and 24 had no jobs, according to the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs.

    Nguyen Hoang Ha, an officer in the International Labour Organization, says people who graduated since Covid-19 are among the “quarantined generation” who had to go through disruptions in the labor market and in education and training.

    Another HCMC local, Thu Thuy, 24, had struggled to find a job in 2022 when the economy reopened after two years of the pandemic.

    She submitted 30 CVs and went to more than a dozen interviews but failed to find a job since most companies asked for months of experience, which she could not get due to Covid travel restrictions.

    She says: “Employers often want at least six months of experience but I did not have that. I used to think that having a college degree would guarantee a job but turns out that is not the case.”

    Economist Nguyen Minh Phong said the unemployment among youths is a global trend as companies often lay off the most inexperienced staff when the situation becomes difficult.

    Many urban Vietnamese youths have high expectations about salaries and will rather wait for a good opportunity than work for low pay, he adds.

    Thuy says some companies offered her a job for VND6 million ($244), but she declined, saying she needed at least VND7 million to pay the bills in expensive HCMC.

    Embarrassed, she lied to her family in the countryside that she was still working.

    But the economy alone is not to blame.

    Ha of ILO advises people in the 15-24 age group to educate themselves in technology and soft skills such as group collaboration and problem solving to meet the increasing demands on the labor market.

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  • Laos raises minimum wage for workers

    Laos raises minimum wage for workers

    The Lao Government has decided to raise the monthly minimum wage from LAK1.2 million (nearly US$70) to LAK1.3 million starting May 1 to ease workers’ difficulties amid soaring inflation and economic uncertainties.

    The decision was made at the Lao Government’s meeting held on April 25 – 26 under the chair of Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone.

    In 2022, as workers’ lives were hit hard by soaring inflation, the Lao Federation of Trade Unions Central Committee proposed increasing the monthly minimum wage to 1.5 million LAK.

    However, the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry opposed it, saying that the wage hike would negatively impact enterprises that were also struggling with difficulties.

    Aside from the minimum wage rise, PM Sonexay Siphandone told the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare to work with related sectors to consider how the increase is relevant to the current economic situation.

    He also asked ministries and sectors to conduct an in-depth study on wage hikes and report results to the Government in the third quarter of this year.

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  • Delivery work most lucrative among 5 largest job categories

    Delivery work most lucrative among 5 largest job categories

    Delivery workers earn the highest salaries among the five largest groups of workers as companies compete with each other amid a shortage of candidates, a study has found.

    They get an average post-social distancing salary of VND10.1 million ($435.82) a month, 11 percent more than the next group, factory workers (VND9.1 million), according to recruitment platform Viec Lam Tot.

    Their salary also increased the most in March — 11.2 percent — indicating high demand as delivery companies competed to hire drivers.

    Salesclerks had an average salary of VND8.1 million per month this year, followed by security guards (VND7.1 million) and hotel and restaurant staff (VND6.7 million).

    Viec Lam Tot said there is a shortage of delivery staff as e-commerce demand remains high.

    E-commerce had grown by over 20 percent last year, according to the Vietnam E-commerce Association.

    Nguyen Hoang Trung, CEO of delivery app Loship, said people have picked up the habit of ordering things online.

    An average delivery person could make VND400,000-600,000 a day if they work for eight hours, and some work for up to 18 hours, he added.

    The report also said the highest salary for drivers is paid in the southern province of Binh Duong at VND11.72 million, followed by Dong Nai Province (VND11.6 million) and HCMC (VND9.78 million).

    Factory workers, waiters and salesclerks in the two provinces also get higher salaries than their counterparts in HCMC.

    The exodus of over 500,000 workers from HCMC to their hometowns at the end of last year partly explain these figures, the report said, citing data from the General Statistics Office.

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  • Vietnam unable to match minimum wages with living standards

    Vietnam unable to match minimum wages with living standards

    The minimum wage – minimum living standard gap has been widening for years, but there is no solution in sight as workers struggle to make ends meet.

    Vietnam first introduced the “minimum living standard” term in its 2012 Labor Law, which requires that the minimum wage must meet the minimum living standard.

    A decade later, the gap between the two has kept widening and the current minimum wage far is from matching the level needed for an average laborer to make ends meet.

    The minimum wage in Region 1, referring to the most developed areas of a province or city, has stayed unchanged at VND4.42 million ($194) since 2020, which is 5 percent shy of the official minimum living standard, according to a study by the Research Center for Employment Relations.

    When compared with the acceptable living standard, the figure is 41 percent lower, it said.

    One of the reasons for such a wide gap is that the starting point of the minimum wage was too low, said Mai Duc Chinh, former deputy chairman of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor.

    In 2013, representatives of businesses and workers negotiated and agreed that the first minimum wage level would be VND2.35 million, 30 percent lower than the minimum living standard at the time.

    In 2014, the labor confederation proposed that the gap be eliminated, but the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) and the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs opposed it, saying a sudden surge would hurt businesses.

    They finally agreed to increase the wage by 15 percent to VND2.7 million.

    In the following years, the minimum wage level was increased mostly to make up for inflation, which means technically the “15 percent gap” is still there, Chinh said.

    Another reason that the gap still exists is the lack of an independent organization to determine the minimum living standard, said Vu Quang Tho, former head of the Institute of Workers and Trade Union.

    Labor representatives think that raising a child costs 70 percent of an adults’ living costs, but businesses think the ratio should be around 50 percent. The labor reps also say that the average daily amount of food a worker needs is 2,300 calories, but businesses think the figure should be 2,000 calories.

    Chinh said that current labor laws allow business owners to increase workers’ salaries “according to the ability of the business,” which is something that authorities cannot evaluate and manage.

    Therefore, if a company claims to continuous losses or plunging revenues, it can keep workers’ salaries unchanged for years, which is what happened over the last two years of Covid-19.

    Do Quynh Chi, director of the Research center For Employment Relations, said many countries have shown that a well-designed minimum wage set of policy will protect workers at the “bottom” of the labor market.

    He said: “Other countries have strong union organizations, and the wage there meets minimum living standards.”

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  • Dyson splits with Malaysia supplier, stoking concern over migrant worker treatment

    Dyson splits with Malaysia supplier, stoking concern over migrant worker treatment

    A transient drive right by the border from Dyson’s contemporary headquarters in Singapore is the boomtown constructed round its enterprise: a Malaysian industrial declare dominated by its finest supplier, ATA IMS Bhd (ATAI.KL).

    ATA, one amongst Malaysia’s high electronics manufacturing companies and products suppliers, rode Dyson’s success in excessive-close vacuum cleaners and air purifiers, supplying parts for a firm that got right here to story for 80% of its income.

    Ten contemporary and former workers, and a former ATA govt, tell the expansion got right here at an unseen mark: its mostly migrant workforce worked up to 15 hours a day, had been repeatedly requested to skip relaxation days to support up with set aside a query to, and had been coached to cowl correct working and dwelling prerequisites from labour inspectors and Dyson.

    In interviews over the final two months, the workers furthermore tell ATA, which analysts tell is Dyson’s finest global contract producer, employed hundreds of foreigners without work permits.

    After questions from Reuters on Nov. 18, Dyson final month stated it might perchance perhaps well pull its enterprise from ATA in six months, citing a up to date fair audit on prerequisites for workers and allegations by an unidentified whistleblower.

    ATA stated in a observation it turned into as soon as audited by the To blame Industry Alliance (RBA), a physique broadly engaged by electronics corporations to behavior factory audits. RBA hires third-social gathering auditors for the inspections. It declined to comment.

    On Nov. 29, ATA stated it had viewed the summary of Dyson’s audit, which stumbled on sad dwelling prerequisites, considerations of retaliation and unpaid allowances, among varied components. It described the findings as “non-conclusive” and stated it turned into as soon as reviewing them. Reuters has no longer viewed the audit.

    ATA declined to comment, and referred Reuters to its most recent public statements.

    Dyson stated on Tuesday it wouldn’t comment as a result of accusations associated to ATA.

    Malaysia on Wednesday stated it might perchance perchance perhaps well mark ATA over complaints it had received by the labour department. It did no longer tell what the charges or complaints had been about or whether or not they associated to the workers’ accusations about its Dyson factories.

    The country’s human resources minister, M. Saravanan, stated compelled labour allegations at Malaysian corporations had been hurting international traders’ confidence in merchandise manufactured there. He had earlier stated the federal government turned into as soon as investigating Dyson’s resolution to interrupt up with ATA.

    After Dyson’s hurry, ATA shares dropped 60%. Some analysts accept as true with raised doubts about ATA’s skill to attract contemporary customers, and on Nov. 29 a observation from the firm forecast income declines and mark cuts.

    With Dyson’s departure, six workers and shopkeepers interviewed within the Johor Bahru industrial declare stated they feared they might perchance perhaps lose their livelihoods.

    “There’s now not one of these thing as a screech of a job right here anymore,” stated one off-responsibility ATA employee, carrying his royal-blue factory work shirt on a up to date Sunday. Love others, he requested now to now not be diagnosed for dismay of reprisal.

    ATA officially employs round 8,000 workers, although four ATA workers and the former govt estimated its workers had been as excessive as 17,000 unless lately, including these without permits. Most of 17,000 had been from Bangladesh and Nepal, according to the workers and govt.

    ATA’s factories are concentrated in adjoining industrial parks in suburban Johor Bahru, a 30-minute drive to Singapore, the put Dyson is headquartered.

    ATA posted document income of 4.2 billion ringgit ($991.74 million) for the fiscal 300 and sixty five days that resulted in March. Dyson, owned by British billionaire James Dyson, accounted for nearly $800 million of that.

    Analysts tell the increased scrutiny of Malaysia might perchance perhaps well expand production charges and deter traders. The United States has banned six Malaysian corporations within the final two years over accusations of compelled labour.

    “Cost will definitely hurry up because of loads extra care must be taken into story, no longer fine on recruitment but furthermore employee accommodation. The ramifications are vastly increased charges for labour,” stated Vincent Khoo, head of Malaysia compare at brokerage UOB Kay Hian.

    Malaysia, which makes every little thing from iPhone parts to semiconductors, is reliant on electrical and electronics manufacturing in disclose for exports and economic tell. Between January and October 2021, such merchandise accounted for 36% of total exports.

    Foreigners manufacture up about 10% – 1.48 million – of Malaysia’s workforce, according to government info, although that percentage is increased within the manufacturing sector. The federal government and labour teams estimate hundreds and hundreds extra undocumented migrants.

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  • New Tokyo Starbucks cafe features focus booth

    New Tokyo Starbucks cafe features focus booth

    Starbucks Japan has teamed with Think Lab to launch a store concept in Tokyo where customers can “focus”.

    The first floor is designed as a normal Starbucks’ cafe where customers can order by phone and pay via an app.

    Upstairs, on the second floor is a working area called Smart Lounge for solo visitors or group meetings. The space also provides projector, semi-private tables designed with teleconferences in mind.

    “The specially designed contactless hand-off counter provides customers with safe, familiar and convenient Starbucks experience while they connect virtually with colleagues or friends in the focus areas upstairs,” the company said in a statement.

    Starbucks’ customers can reserve a table or space via a Think Lab’s app.

    Think Lab describes itself as a creator of innovative, solo working spaces based on research into the science of concentration.

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  • Work-from-home trend amplifying boom in home-furnishing sales

    Work-from-home trend amplifying boom in home-furnishing sales

    Sales of home-furnishing products in Singapore have more than doubled in the two months spanning February 1 to March 31.

    Data from fintech research firm Revolut suggests the 105 percent increase in sales has been brought on by Singaporeans setting up home offices in response to the coronavirus outbreak. Furniture retailers Courts saw growth of 92 percent during the period, whilst competitor Ikea experienced 128-per-cent growth.

    Work-at-home arrangements have also seen a rise in sales of stationery and school supplies by 15 percent, while spending on entertainment has increased 55 percent, largely due to purchases of digital goods on platforms such as Steam games (104 percent) and Nintendo (82 percent).

    “It is likely that the worldwide coronavirus pandemic has had a significant impact on the increase in online activity and transactions overall,” read a report from the firm, “as many more people find themselves at home”.

    Other significant sales data revealed by Revolut shows increases in do-it-yourself spending (44 percent); local e-commerce (35 percent) and in-store transactions (30 percent) in March; and online food delivery (150 percent).

    Meanwhile, data from South Korean e-commerce site SSG.com shows that sales of products relating to home entertainment doubled in the first half of February compared to previous months.

    Sales of home-interior related products rose more than 40 percent, while home training-related sales rose 35 percent.

    SSG.Com, the online shopping unit of retail conglomerate Shinsegae, said sales of products that allow children to make snacks using dough rose by 150 percent, while sales of baking mixes for pancakes, cookies and brownies rose by 152 percent.

    Coffee-related appliances such as espresso machines, coffee makers and coffee-bean grinders also gained popularity, with sales rising 74.5 percent and capsule-type coffee rising 25 percent, according to a report in Korea Bizwire.

    Meanwhile, sales of “home gardening” products or related products, which allow people to grow plants directly on their veranda also rose by 147.6 percent.

  • Subway under investigation for underpaying work force

    Subway under investigation for underpaying work force

    Subway has said it could terminate franchisees that fail to meet their financial responsibilities amid an investigation launched by the Fair Work Ombudsman into the underpayment of its workers.

    The sandwich retailer said franchisees are required to meet regulatory, financial, workplace and employment requirements, and failure to do so could lead to disciplinary action.

    “Failing in their commitment to uphold these will result in enforcement action and continued non-compliance may lead to termination,” a Subway spokesperson said, which reported the underpayment investigation on Monday.

    “All Subway restaurant employees are entitled to payment for hours worked, including for training. Any employee who believes they have been paid incorrectly by a franchise owner is encouraged to report this to Subway for investigation, through a dedicated employee hotline.”

    Local newspapers spoke to several Subway employees, who had seen thousands of dollars paid incorrectly over the years, as well as mentioning a general laissez-faire attitude adopted by the Subway head office.

    “The only things Subway head office care about is your name badge, your uniform, it is all about the image,” one employee said.

    A Subway spokesperson said these statements have not been reported to it, and that it takes matters such as these very seriously.

    “More than 10,000 employees are hired by franchise operators and work at the 1353 individually-owned Subway restaurants across Australia,” the spokesperson said.

    “While restaurant employees are hired by franchise owners, any concerns raised by employees are investigated by Subway immediately.”

    Subway is not the only retailer grappling with underpayment issues. Wage theft has been uncovered at Michael Hill, Domino’s, Super Retail Group and Chatime over the past year, though most said it was a result of the complexity of modern awards.

    However, an informal poll revealed almost 60 percent of more than 200 respondents believe underpayment is mostly intentional, due to businesses trying to cut costs.

    A recent report by the Australian Payroll Association found that almost a third of payroll managers admitted to making employee payment or entitlement mistakes at least once a month, and claimed that the larger the business, the more likely mistakes are to occur.

    However, the report claimed only 16 percent of businesses with fewer than 50 staff said they made such mistakes each month – a position most franchisees likely fall into.

  • Nearly half of Aussie workers have experience with harassment

    Nearly half of Aussie workers have experience with harassment

    Australian workplaces have a long way to go in promoting diversity and inclusion, as a recent survey by recruitment company Hays revealed that nearly a half (45 per cent) of Australian professionals have experienced bullying or harassment at work due to gender, age, ethnicity, sexual orientation or disability.

    That’s just the tip of the iceberg, with the figure rising to 64 per cent of people living with a disclosed disability, 58 per cent of people who identify as LGBTIQ+, 50 per cent of women and 50 per cent of mature-age people.

    While less men reported this behaviour than women, the figure is still high at 37 per cent.

    The survey of over 1,000 people across Australia and New Zealand found that 41 per cent of respondents took no action in relation to the bullying or harassment. A further 15 per cent of those who experienced this behaviour chose to leave the organisation rather than report it.

    While some respondents raised the issue to HR, a team leader, supervisor or manager and it was resolved promptly to their satisfaction, this often involved mediation or the appointment of an investigator.

    “Measures range from the formal letter of the law, sanctions and workplace guides to day-to-day awareness of leaders and managers and the behaviours of all employees,” Nick Deligiannis, managing director of Hays Australia & New Zealand said.

    “However, given our findings, it seems that despite a growing awareness of the problem, more needs to be done to stop harassment and bullying at work – for all demographic groups.”

    The recruitment company suggests employers familiarise themselves with anti-bullying laws and follow the correct procedures.

    Free resources are available from Australia’s Fair Work Commission and Safe Work Australia.

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

  • Minimum wage increase Kicked off in April

    Minimum wage increase Kicked off in April

    The minimum wage increase announced by the government last December is set to kick in on April 1. Starting Monday, the adult minimum wage will rise from the current rate of $16.50 per hour to $17.70 per hour.

    This means that businesses that have adult employees earning less than $17.70 an hour are legally required to increase their wage rates.

    Businesses will need to advise the employee of this and record the change in writing, such as by drafting a ‘Variation Letter’ for the employee to sign.

    The industry association advises employers should keep a copy for their records in case of an audit by the Labour Inspectors.

    The minimum rates apply to all employees whether they work full-time, part-time or casually and whether they are paid a wage for time worked, a salary, partly or wholly on a commission basis, or for what they produce (piece rates).

    The minimum adult rate applies to any employee aged 16 years and over unless they are eligible for the ‘starting-out’ wage or the ‘training’ wage.

    There is no legal minimum rate for employees aged 15 years or younger.

    If a business has salaried employees, it will need to make sure the employees’total remuneration meets minimum wage requirements for each individual pay period, taking into account any overtime, meetings, or time spent opening and closing stores.

    While the new minimum wage will likely put pressure on other business costs, the association said there are a number of ways to combat this, and to incentivise employees other than simple pay increases.