Asia-Pacific
Employment policy, talent markets and HR tech in Japan, Korea, India, Southeast Asia and Australia.
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54 in the last two weeksYesterday · Sunday 25 October
- Asia-Pacific·Research
Japan Faces Shortage of Japanese-Language Teachers for Foreign Workers
A survey finds 35.9% (125) of responding institutions lack sufficient Japanese-language teachers for foreign workers with no hiring outlook. Japan has approximately 20,000 registered Japanese-language instructors as of August.
- Asia-Pacific·Policy & Law
Philippine TUCP Slams Western Visayas' P40-45 Minimum Wage Hike as 'Crumbs'
Philippines' DOLE regional wage board issued Order 30 raising Western Visayas minimum wage 40–45 pesos (≈P5/hour); agriculture workers rose from P520 to P565, capping daily pay at P590—below Manila's P755 and IBON Foundation's estimated P1,081 living wage. TUCP dismissed the hike as insignificant.
- Asia-Pacific·Policy & Law
Vietnam proposes talent visa, five-year income tax exemption for foreign experts
Vietnam's Ministry of Home Affairs has proposed a draft resolution introducing a Vietnam Talent Visa, offering a five-year personal income tax exemption and work permit waivers for qualifying talented individuals and their families. The draft, open for public feedback, would apply to Vietnamese citizens, overseas Vietnamese, and foreign nationals, and will be submitted to the National Assembly for consideration.
- Asia-Pacific·Policy & Law
Karnataka CM Warns Bengaluru IT Firms Over Alleged Bias Against Kannadiga Job Seekers
On October 25, 2026, Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar warned on social media that Bengaluru IT firms allegedly discriminate against Kannadiga job seekers. The government promised action if bias is confirmed but named no companies or specific measures.
- Asia-Pacific·Policy & Law
Hai Phong city strengthens management of foreign workers
Vietnam's Hai Phong city strengthens management of foreign workers; specific policy terms, effective dates and scope remain unspecified in available reporting.
Saturday 24 October
- Asia-Pacific·Policy & Law
9 Foreign Workers Found With Suspected Residence, Work Permit Violations in Vietnam's Dong Nai
Vietnamese authorities in Dong Nai raided a manufacturing facility on October 24, finding nine foreign workers (seven Bangladeshi, two Indian) with suspected residence and work permit violations; five Bangladeshi workers exceeded legal stay limits.
- Asia-Pacific·Policy & Law
India's Labour Minister Says ESIC Provides Health Security to 250 Million People
India's Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya states ESIC provides health security to 250 million people, while the government supplies free grain to 800 million and transfers Rs 2,000 every four months to 100 million farmers, discussing ILO framework balance with domestic labour traditions.
- Asia-Pacific·Policy & Law
Myer Cancels Work From Home for Corporate Staff Ahead of Office Switch
Myer, an Australian department store, cancels work-from-home for corporate staff, requiring five-day office attendance from November at its new Melbourne headquarters. The move conflicts with Victoria's proposed right-to-WFH legislation.
- Asia-Pacific·Research
Survey: 77% of Korean Game Companies Use Generative AI, Recruitment Prioritizes AI Skills
Survey shows 77% of Korean game companies use generative AI, with «AI capability» now the top recruitment priority for employers.
- Asia-Pacific·Policy & Law
Singapore's National Wages Council Recommends S$120 Monthly Wage Increase for Low-Wage Workers in 2026/2027
Singapore's National Wages Council recommended S$120 monthly raises for workers earning below S$2,800 in 2026–2027, even for unprofitable firms. The non-binding guidance sparked discussion over SME burden; 2025's guidance achieved only one-quarter of recommended growth.
- Asia-Pacific·Policy & Law
MTUC Warns Minimum-Wage Exemption Could Leave 8.1 Million MSME Workers Without Pay Raise
Malaysia's Trade Union Congress warns government's temporary minimum wage exemption for MSMEs could leave 8.1 million workers without raises, urging targeted assistance over blanket waivers.
- Asia-Pacific·Policy & Law
Centre and Uttar Pradesh to Hold Two-Day Shram Samvad on Labour Codes in Lucknow
India's Labour & Employment Ministry and Uttar Pradesh government hold a two-day 「Shram Samvad」 in Lucknow October 26–27, 2026, focusing on labour codes, worker welfare and social security—part of a national 90-day roadshow across 316 districts.
- Asia-Pacific·Research
India's Commerce Ministry Identifying AI-proof Professions and Sectors Where India Can Lead
India's Commerce Ministry is identifying AI-resistant professions and sectors where India can achieve global leadership, according to Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, though specifics remain undisclosed.
- Asia-Pacific·Research
Report: Mid-career talent drives India healthcare GCC hiring, 67,000 jobs projected in 2026
A report by Indian staffing firm Quess Corp, 'India Healthcare GCC Outlook 2026', found that mid-career professionals with 3-12 years of experience account for nearly 93% of hiring demand at healthcare global capability centres (GCCs) in India, which are projected to generate 67,000 job openings in 2026. India's healthcare GCC ecosystem has expanded to 155 organizations.
- Asia-Pacific·Policy & Law
Bombay High Court Rules EPFO Cannot Reject Higher EPS-95 Pension Applications Over Employer PF Trust Caps
On October 19, 2026, India's Bombay High Court ruled the EPFO cannot reject private-sector employees' higher EPS-95 pension applications solely due to employer PF trust caps. The ruling covers 40+ employees at Abbott India, Tata Communications, Raymond Steel and BEST Transport; the EPFO must process applications within eight weeks.
- Asia-Pacific·Research
India's Emerging Industries Set to Create Over 35 Crore Jobs by 2030
India's emerging industries will create over 350 million jobs by 2030, per industry skill councils and organizations. Automotive adds 2–2.5 million direct roles; logistics needs 4.7 million skilled workers; telecom adds 1 million; clean energy transition creates 4.4+ million full-time positions; textiles adds 20 million in three years. India's education and training body urged faster skilling and academic-industry partnerships.
- Asia-Pacific·Policy & Law
India EPFO ECR Deadline Oct 31: New PF Wage Ceiling Affects Contributions
India's EPFO electronic challan receipt (ECR) submission deadline is October 31; new PF wage ceiling adjustments affect employer and employee contributions and membership, requiring advance employer awareness.
Friday 23 October
- Asia-Pacific·Research
Report: Malaysia lacks higher-paying job creation despite higher minimum wage
A report finds that despite a higher minimum wage, Malaysia lacks sufficient creation of higher-paying jobs, with employment remaining concentrated in occupations with weak wage progression. It calls for a stronger wage ladder to help semi-skilled workers advance.
- Asia-Pacific·Policy & Law
ACCCIM Warns Excessive Minimum Wage Hike Could Cause Cost Shock for Malaysian Businesses
Malaysia's Chinese Chamber of Commerce warns that excessive minimum wage increases risk cost shock for thin-margin businesses, raising concerns about competitiveness.
- Asia-Pacific·Policy & Law
Philippine NBI raids Subic 'scam hub,' rescues more than 200 Vietnamese workers
The Philippine National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) raided a suspected scam hub in Subic, rescuing more than 200 Vietnamese workers.
- Asia-Pacific·Policy & Law
India caps government EPS pension contribution at ₹15,000 wage base despite EPFO wage hike
India's Ministry of Labour and Employment notified an amendment to the Employees' Pension Scheme (EPS) Rules 2026 on October 15, 2026, capping the government's EPS contribution base at ₹15,000 even though the EPFO wage ceiling for employer and employee contributions was raised from ₹15,000 to ₹25,000. The government will continue contributing 1.16% based on the old ₹15,000 limit, meaning no increase in its contribution.
- Asia-Pacific·Policy & Law
Vietnam decree exempts 18 categories of foreign workers from work permit
Vietnam issued Decree No. 393/2026/ND-CP on October 20, exempting 18 categories of foreign workers from work permit requirements, effective December 5, to streamline procedures and attract high-skilled talent. Exempt groups include owners of companies with capital contributions of VND3 billion or more, ODA project experts, certified foreign journalists, volunteers, and foreign teachers/managers. Vietnam currently has 162,858 foreign workers nationwide.
- Asia-Pacific·Policy & Law
Australia raises vehicle allowance for aged care workers by 4 cents per km for six months
Australia's Fair Work Ombudsman announced a temporary 4-cent-per-kilometre increase to the vehicle allowance under the Aged Care Award and the SCHADS Award, from $1.01 to $1.05 per km, to address rising fuel costs. The increase takes effect from the first full pay period on or after September 1 and lasts until February 28, 2027.
Thursday 22 October
- Asia-Pacific·Policy & Law
Thailand updates 2026 work visa rules with new BOI salary thresholds
Thailand's work visa system for foreign professionals includes the Non-Immigrant B visa (THB 2,000 fee), SMART Visa (up to 4 years), and BOI Work Permit. From January 2026, BOI sets a minimum monthly salary of THB 50,000 for degree-holding engineers/IT staff. The e-Work Permit became mandatory from October 2025, and permanent residency is available after 3 years with a 100-person quota per nationality.