AGP Executive Report

Workplace Harassment: Amnesty International Japan staff say a harassment probe into the secretary-general hasn’t improved conditions, prompting a union boycott and board-led external investigation. White-Collar Hiring Watch: India’s white-collar hiring cooled in May (down 4% year-on-year) even as diversity hiring rose, signaling cautious employer sentiment. Mass Layoffs in Tech: Citi plans to cut 20,000 jobs worldwide by 2026, but says India roles are spared. Job Loss Fallout: Pune’s ThynkTech India allegedly shut abruptly, leaving 700+ jobless; CEO Harshal Thakre was arrested amid claims of unpaid salaries and withheld deposits. Restructuring in Mining: South Africa’s Bakubung Platinum Mine has started a retrenchment process affecting about 500 roles as it revises production strategy. Talent & Skills Pipelines: Nasscom-Zinnov estimates India’s GCCs employ 2.36 million people and target 3.5 million by 2030; Pacific Australia Skills PNG backs hospitality upskilling at Loloata Island Resort. Security & Hiring Risks: Five Eyes warns Chinese intelligence recruiters are using LinkedIn and job ads to target government and military personnel. AI’s Career Shift: India’s software engineers are increasingly supervising AI-generated work, changing hiring and skills demand.

South Pacific Security & Jobs: Solomon Islands’ new PM Matthew Wale says he will review a secret 2022 security pact with Beijing after Australia and the US warned it could open the door to Chinese forces in the region—an issue that can quickly spill into local stability and employment planning. Newsroom Hiring: A new FT Strategies/WAN-IFRA study maps 16 emerging “future newsroom” roles, including AI innovation work and editorial-led engineering, showing how publishing jobs are shifting toward AI-native workflows. India Employment & HR Risk: Pune IT firm Thynk Technology India shut down overnight, with allegations of unpaid wages and police action against top management, leaving 700+ workers and interns in limbo. Aviation Jobs Shield: India approved a $1bn airline support package to offset surging ATF fuel costs from the Iran war, aiming to protect millions of jobs tied to aviation. Auto Manufacturing & Workforce: Nissan’s Sunderland plant may start building Chery passenger cars from 2027, a potential lifeline for UK jobs as Nissan seeks better plant utilisation. China Workforce Protections: China will introduce rules from July 1 to protect “over-age” workers’ basic rights, including work injury insurance, potentially reshaping hiring for older employees. Tech Hiring at Scale: Cognizant’s CEO says AI won’t kill entry-level roles and plans to hire 20,000 college grads in 2026.

Pacific diplomacy with jobs impact: The Philippines and Vietnam used Japan and Manila visits to lock in new investment and cooperation deals that could translate into thousands of Filipino and regional jobs, with leaders framing the moves as strategic alignment amid South China Sea tensions and trade shocks. AI hiring in India’s media: JioHotstar is recruiting 75+ staff for generative AI and machine-learning roles in Bengaluru and beyond, building an AI division for content pipelines, personalization and interactive entertainment. HR leadership reshuffle at Siemens Healthineers: Carolin Franz will expand her remit to oversee HR across APJ and China while continuing as Head of HR for EMEA, covering workforce strategy for about 52,000 employees. Payments jobs and fintech growth: Juspay joined Mastercard’s Engage network to scale Click to Pay across Asia, aiming to speed online checkout and reduce friction for merchants and banks. Workforce pressure in China’s finance: Tiger Brokers will suspend deposit and buying services for mainland accounts from June 12 after regulators accused it of unlicensed cross-border services—an operational hit that may ripple into investor-facing roles. Labour rights case (India-Pacific): A New Zealand tribunal ordered an Auckland firm to repay a migrant worker nearly $45,000 after unlawful job-charging. Regional security and staffing risk: Solomon Islands’ new PM says it will review China’s security pact and negotiate a treaty with Australia, a shift that could affect future public-sector planning and contractor work.

AI & Jobs: India’s white-collar hiring stayed steady in May, with AI/ML and insurance roles leading; Hyderabad, Coimbatore and Surat showed the strongest growth, while entry-level tech hiring in Bengaluru tightened as firms demanded practical AI/cloud and automation skills. Workplace Rights: Hyderabad water and sanitation staff urged for stronger job security and welfare, with INTUC highlighting hazardous night work and contract-worker gaps. Hiring Friction: A Delhi jobseeker’s costly trip to Hyderabad ended in a 10-minute rejection, reigniting debate on interview practices and candidate travel burdens. Labour Market Signals: A report warned fresher hiring is declining as IT firms shift to specialised skills, even as demand for high-value talent remains. Policy & Skills: Tripura signed an MoU to open its first dedicated foreign-language training centre to help youth overcome language barriers for work and travel. Corporate Restructuring: Danish Crown plans to cut around 800 jobs over three years as it consolidates functions. Workplace Culture: PDS earned Great Place to Work recognition across 10 countries, citing high employee participation. Safety & Security: Japan saw multiple bear attacks injuring workers and residents, underscoring risks for outdoor and industrial staff. Cross-border Trade: Philippines moved to impose safeguard duties on cement imports from China and Indonesia after thresholds were exceeded, with knock-on effects for construction-sector hiring.

Workplace Pay Practices: Shark Tank India’s Anupam Mittal argues firms should pay employees twice a month (or at least at month-end) to prevent cash-flow stress like missed EMIs and rent. Leave Use Gap: A Deel report finds Indian workers take fewer leave days than APAC peers despite “generous” entitlements—median 12 days in 2025, with low take-up of full leave and many 2-day breaks. HR Leadership Moves (India): Ageas Federal Life Insurance appoints Yash Sinha as CHRO to lead nationwide people strategy, HR transformation and talent development. Hiring & Skills (Japan): Japan’s manufacturing PMI improves for a fifth straight month in May, with job creation noted in the sector. Mobility & Compliance (India): India revises visa rules for foreigners, requiring registration before the 180-day mark in more cases. Community & Careers (Philippines): Cebu Pacific’s Brigada Eskwela mobilises staff and resources to support last-mile schools, including STEM packs and donations. Safety at Work (Japan): Bear attacks at Fukushima Steel Works injure four people; schools in the area are cancelled. Global Business/Trade: DHL Express and ASEAN-BAC sign an MoU to help ASEAN MSMEs with cross-border trade, digital logistics and decarbonisation.

Semiconductor Pay Boost: Taiwan and South Korea’s AI chip boom is spilling into household spending as bonuses surge at SK Hynix and Samsung, with union deals tying payouts to profit and ending bonus caps. South China Sea Friction: Philippines’ defense chief again cites the 2016 arbitration ruling at Shangri-La, arguing extra-regional military presence is about “freedom of navigation.” Jobs Saved by Power Deal: South Africa’s ferrochrome smelters get a discounted electricity tariff, halting planned layoffs of up to 1,500 at Glencore-Merafe. India Industrial Push: Haryana unveils “Make in Haryana 2026” targeting ₹5-lakh-crore investment and 10 lakh jobs, backed by an AI-enabled single-window system. Corporate Compliance & Layoffs Risk: Seagate agrees a US$175m settlement over alleged concealed Huawei sales tied to US export controls. Outbound Investment Clampdown: China’s new rules tighten overseas deals involving Chinese tech/data and can force unwinds of completed transactions from July 1. Cross-border Hiring Win: India-Oman CEPA takes effect, letting Indian firms hire Indian workers in Oman under local rules. Gig/Youth Pressure: India’s Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijeet Dipke plans a Delhi protest over education policy, framing it as a jobs-and-unemployment push. Workplace Inclusion: A Pacific employer case highlights how “Pasifika values” can be enforceable in employment agreements, pushing firms toward culturally responsive practices.

Outbound Investment Controls: China’s State Council rules tighten oversight of overseas deals tied to Chinese tech, data and national security, with new authorization requirements and a July 1 start date—raising compliance risk for global investors. Manufacturing Pulse: India’s factory activity picked up in May (HSBC PMI 55.0), with new orders and output rising; hiring continued but job creation slowed. Digital Trade: ASEAN wrapped up negotiations for the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement, set for signing in November—aimed at boosting digital trade and jobs across the region. AI & Hiring: India’s GenAI adoption is rising (SIDE report ranks India 5th for GenAI usage), even as concerns grow about AI-driven job disruption. SME Resilience: Singapore SMEs are bracing for Iran-war-driven cost and planning uncertainty, with sustainability framed as a practical survival lever. Workforce Mobility: Australia’s PALM scheme held an employers expo with Papua New Guinea partners to strengthen labour mobility links. Labour Rights & Inclusion: India’s Delhi High Court recognized a “right to be forgotten,” noting digital permanence can harm employment and professional growth. Policy for Youth Jobs: India’s PM internship scheme targets 1 crore youth over five years with structured, skills-focused placements. Energy Shock Hits Tourism Jobs: Iran-war price pressures are straining Southeast Asia’s tourism economies, threatening seasonal demand and livelihoods.

Gig Work Push in Japan: Rising living costs and higher minimum wages are driving interest in short-term “sukima baito” roles, with Japan’s potential gig workforce estimated at 14.31 million. Hybrid Work in India: ACCA says hybrid is the default—79% of Indian employees prefer it—and companies are shifting toward “purposeful” office time for collaboration and career growth. CEPA Jobs Boost (India–Oman): India and Oman’s CEPA starts June 1, giving duty-free access for many labour-intensive exports and opening clearer pathways for professionals to work in Oman. Workplace Rights for Migrant Care Workers (UK): An Indian care worker won nearly £30,000 after a UK employer failed to provide any shifts for a year, highlighting risks in sponsored-care hiring. China Labour Strain: China’s May factory PMI stalled as export orders weakened, adding pressure as AI adoption accelerates and 12.7 million graduates enter the market. China Job Market Signal: A viral shepherds ad drew 700+ applicants, including white-collar workers, pointing to rising underemployment and tougher job competition. Philippines–Japan Investment Angle: Analysts say Marcos’s deeper strategic partnership with Japan could attract more manufacturing and supply-chain investment, but structural gaps may limit gains. EU–China Trade Friction: EU officials are weighing retaliation as they worry Chinese EV and component supply chains could route through Morocco to reach Europe. India–Tibet Trade Route: Shipki La border trade between India and Tibet is set to reopen June 1, with limited items and employment potential. Workforce Welfare (India): Singareni Collieries expanded accident insurance up to Rs 1.25 crore for employees’ families, with Rs 41 crore already paid to 40 families. UAE Salary Rule Change: From June 1, private-sector wages must be paid monthly on the 1st via WPS or approved channels, affecting millions of Indian expats. Digital Ads Compliance (India): A Delhi HC ruling against Google keyword ads could reshape how startups and advertisers use trademarked terms in India. Meta Layoffs & Workplace Claims: A former Meta employee alleges discrimination and targeted layoffs, adding to scrutiny of hiring and job cuts in tech.

ASEAN Digital Deal: Negotiations on the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) are now wrapped up, clearing the way for signing in November; the bloc expects the digital economy to grow from $1T to as much as $2T by 2030, with knock-on effects for jobs, entrepreneurship, and cross-border business. Labour Regularisation: Punjab’s cabinet approved abolishing the contract system and regularising 65,000 outsourced/contract employees, a major shift aimed at cutting middlemen and bringing workers onto direct government payrolls. AI & Hiring in India: ACCA and EY reports keep flagging a hiring shift—AI may reshape skilled work and IT services, but “human ownership” and bias controls are key as confidence in AI hiring rises. Semiconductor Supply Chain: Nikon says it’s in talks to supply lower-priced ArF lithography tools, while Intel and 3D Glass Solutions plus Odisha signed a $3.3B glass-substrate deal—both moves could reshape costs and capacity for AI hardware. Workplace Wellbeing: A Bengaluru woman went viral after quitting an IT job to drive an auto rickshaw, citing stress and better control of her schedule. Education Integrity: China’s universities issued punishments for academic misconduct, including terminations and leadership removals, reinforcing zero-tolerance rules. Career Safety Watch: India’s illicit liquor deaths probe in Pune led to suspension of 13 excise officials, with arrests tied to the supply chain.

Semiconductor Jobs Push: India’s NITI Frontier Tech Hub unveiled a 10-year semiconductor roadmap aiming to build a $120–150B value chain by 2035, with focus on advanced packaging, compound semiconductors, wide-bandgap materials and AI-native chip design. AI Hiring & Pay: Infosys CEO Salil Parekh earned ₹82.6 crore in FY26—742x the median employee pay—while Infosys chairman Nandan Nilekani said AI productivity gains will be reinvested to grow business, not cut headcount. AI Cooling Manufacturing: Japan’s Furukawa Electric will invest ₱17B in the Philippines to expand heat-sink and thermal management output for AI data centers, targeting about 4,000 jobs. Energy Shock to Work: IMF/World Bank/IEA/WTO warned West Asia conflict is straining energy supplies and hitting jobs via higher fuel and fertiliser costs. Regional Mobility & Security: US Defense chief Pete Hegseth urged more allied responsibility in the Indo-Pacific, while China’s Xi warned the Taiwan issue could trigger “collision or even clash.” Migration & Work Access: West Bengal tightened enforcement as Bangladeshis gathered to leave; Delhi police also arrested overstayers. Local Employment Forums: Cambodia expanded a job forum in Pursat with 10,000+ openings and anti-scam guidance for overseas work. Pacific SME Finance: EU-backed Sustainable Pacific Blue Circle Fund launched in Suva to improve Pacific business access to finance and create jobs.

Semiconductor Jobs Boost (India): Intel and 3DGS will invest $3.3B in a glass-substrate advanced packaging plant in Odisha, aiming to create 1,800+ high-skilled jobs as India ramps up chip supply-chain capacity. Philippines–Japan Hiring & Investment (Tax): A revamped Philippines–Japan double-tax treaty is set to cut double-tax risk, improve predictability for firms, and support investment and “high-quality employment,” including for 245,000 OFWs in Japan. Asean SME Sustainability (Careers): Aceba and the East Asia Business Council will roll out a “circular business check” to help SMEs adopt circular practices, starting with pilots in the Philippines, Indonesia and Thailand. Workplace Culture (HR): A new look at “i-deals” shows how uneven flexibility can quietly chill teamwork and collaboration, even when no one complains. Labor Market Pressure (India–Bangladesh): Hundreds wait at the Hakimpur border as West Bengal’s crackdown on illegal migrants fuels job-and-status anxiety for people seeking work. EU Trade Tension (China): EU leaders weigh tougher measures on Chinese imports, with warnings that “existential” dumping could threaten millions of jobs across Europe. Cyber Insurance Uptick (Asia): A report flags low cyber-insurance penetration in Asia-Pacific, suggesting a slow but growing market for risk management services.

Offshoring & Retail Jobs: Australia’s Officeworks says it will shift hundreds of customer service and IT roles overseas, with western Sydney work moving to Manila and other roles expected to move to Bengaluru, as part of a “significant” transformation aimed at keeping prices low. AI Hiring & Startup Growth: Anthropic appoints Sangeeta Bavi to lead India growth, focusing on expanding Claude adoption among startups and mid-market firms as the company prepares a Bengaluru office. Banking Cybersecurity: Japan’s three megabanks are expected to use a new OpenAI model to probe for software vulnerabilities, raising both security hopes and abuse concerns. Japan Labour Market: Japan’s unemployment rate fell to 2.5% in April, with job openings rising in education and manufacturing. Pacific Jobs & Infrastructure: Fiji and Pacific youth are watching the Quad “Ports of the Future” push, hoping better connectivity translates into logistics, tourism and entrepreneurship jobs. Pacific Budget Cuts: New Zealand’s Ministry for Pacific Peoples faces another round of funding cuts, the third in as many years, drawing opposition criticism. India Employment Pressure: Reports highlight a tougher job market for new graduates and ongoing concerns about unstable hiring. China Economy Watch: A Reuters poll suggests China’s factory activity likely stayed flat in May, with weak demand and Iran-related cost pressures weighing on manufacturing. Sustainable Industry: Loop Industries signs an MoU for its first commercial PET recycling plant in India, targeting sustainable packaging in Gujarat’s industrial corridor. Cross-border Risks: Nepal-based reporting warns job seekers are being lured into organ trafficking networks tied to illegal “jobs” in India.

Philippines–Japan Dealmaking: President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. upgraded ties with Japan to a “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership” and secured about P56.3B in Japanese investment pledges across shipbuilding, electronics, semiconductors, AI and green maritime—expected to create roughly 10,300 jobs. Japan–India Capital Flows: Development Bank of Japan backed HDFC Capital’s H-DREAM real estate fund, marking DBJ’s first India real estate investment and signaling confidence in long-term investor participation. India Youth & Work Anxiety: India’s “Cockroach Janta Party” satire movement gained traction amid persistent youth unemployment, highlighting how joblessness is turning into political pressure. Higher Ed Hiring Pipelines: Smaller Indian cities are emerging as first-choice higher education hubs, especially for AI, data science and analytics, with more industry links and internships. Welfare Tech Debate: India’s welfare delivery is moving toward facial recognition for beneficiary verification, raising efficiency hopes alongside concerns about fraud, duplicates and public trust. Workplace/HR Shock: A Pune IT firm in Hinjawadi allegedly shut suddenly, leaving 700+ employees and interns jobless amid claims of unpaid salaries. Energy Jobs Angle: Amara Raja is scaling energy storage systems in India but warns domestic cell manufacturing costs lag Chinese supply chains.

Japan-Philippines Investment Push: President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. secured about $3.4B in Japanese investment pledges in Tokyo, aimed at manufacturing, tourism infrastructure, renewables and supply-chain work—framed as a route to “skilled jobs” in the Philippines. India Pay Pressure: An ACCA survey says only 29% of Indian employees are happy with current pay; 81% plan to ask for raises in the next 12 months as living costs bite. India Tech Hiring Caution: H-1B returnees face a slower, more cautious Indian tech market as AI shifts demand away from traditional IT roles. AI vs Work Reality Check: China’s X Square launched a paid home-cleaning robot service in Beijing and Shenzhen—getting orders, but still struggling with unexpected tasks, underscoring limits of automation. Labour Market Strain (China): A viral shepherd job ad in Inner Mongolia drew 700+ applicants and 59M views, highlighting tougher employment conditions and mismatches between expectations and rural work. Middle East Shock to Jobs: The ILO warns the West Asia crisis is increasingly hitting global labour markets via energy, supply chains, tourism, remittances and migration. ASEAN CSR Platform: ASEAN-BAC and AVPN set up an ASEAN CSR working group to coordinate corporate social investment and cross-sector collaboration across Southeast Asia. Pacific Skills Funding: Australia launched a new AUD$229.5M skills programme for Papua New Guinea to expand TVET and improve employment outcomes.

US–China Reset: Trump says Washington has “reset” ties with China via tariffs, military expansion and energy dominance, while officials point to higher defence investment and Indo-Pacific competition. Philippines–Japan Dealmaking: Manila and Tokyo are set to sign a new double taxation convention during Marcos Jr.’s Tokyo visit, aimed at boosting cross-border investment and “quality jobs.” India Hiring & Tech Hubs: American Airlines plans to double headcount at its Hyderabad tech hub to about 800 by early next year, as global carriers expand GCC-style engineering and AI roles in India. Japan Pay Momentum: Keidanren reports spring wage talks delivering 5.46% average regular pay hikes for the third straight year, with firms citing retention amid higher prices. China Credit Stress: CreditEase’s Heritvest has suspended payments on wealth products worth about $4.4bn, reviving shadow-banking risk concerns. Southeast Asia Scam Crackdown: Cambodia sentenced six Chinese nationals to life in prison over the torture-linked killing of a South Korean student tied to online scam centres. Coal India OFS: India’s Coal India stake sale drew bids 8.14x on day one; the government plans to exercise the full green-shoe option and sell up to 2%. Aviation Cost Pressure: Air India and IndiGo are cutting flight schedules for June–July as ATF prices and airspace limits bite. AI & Jobs Anxiety: Meta’s latest layoffs hit about 8,000 globally, with thousands reassigned into AI-focused roles.

Immigration Crackdown (Philippines): Philippine authorities and the Army arrested 24 Chinese nationals in Panabo City, Davao del Norte, over alleged work without proper permits, overstaying, and visa misrepresentation—some reportedly employed by firms different from their visa sponsors. Corporate Fallout (India/Singapore): Byju Raveendran was sentenced to six months in Singapore for contempt tied to asset-related court order non-compliance, deepening a cross-border collapse that’s reshaped India’s education-tech industry. AI & Work (Asia): China issued its first residency-based public services policy for 250M migrants and pushed neighborhood employment stations, while a viral China job ad for shepherds exposed widening labor-market strain as AI adoption accelerates. Pay Transparency (Hong Kong): A global shift toward upfront salary disclosure is raising questions about Hong Kong hiring practices. Industry & Jobs (Japan): Japan plans leadership changes at three govt-backed lenders—DBJ, JFC and JBIC—signaling fresh direction for development finance. Energy Mobility (India): Railways cleared a hydrogen fuel-cell DEMU for the Jind–Sonipat route with safety stipulations.