The week in global HR
- HR events
- 174
- Countries
- 31
- Funding & M&A
- 2
- Rule changes
- 40
Top stories
- 01United States·Policy & Law
Trump administration moves to end H-1B extension protections, finalizes work permit renewal restrictions
The Trump administration, through DHS and USCIS, is proposing to eliminate a rule requiring officers to generally defer to prior approvals when reviewing extension petitions for employment-based visas including H-1B and L-1, and has finalized a separate rule ending automatic work permit extensions for certain foreign nationals including H-1B spouses. Both measures were made available for public inspection Tuesday and are set for Federal Register publication Wednesday, with significant expected impact on Indian nationals who make up the majority of H-1B holders and H-4 work-authorized spouses.
- 02United States·Earnings
American Express to cut 5% of global workforce amid AI restructuring
American Express plans to cut about 5% of its global workforce as it restructures to improve efficiency and prepare for broader AI adoption, according to its third-quarter earnings disclosure. The move will result in thousands of job cuts and a $336 million charge. The company had nearly 77,000 employees at the end of 2025.
- 03Europe·News
Volkswagen plans to cut 12,000 more jobs by 2030, proposes transfer company scheme
According to media reports, Volkswagen's management plans to cut a further 12,000 jobs at its core brand by 2030, proposing that employees could voluntarily move into a state-subsidized transfer company (Transfergesellschaft) for retraining, during which they would no longer be VW employees. The plan, communicated by negotiator Arne Meiswinkel to the works council, is strongly opposed by works council chair Daniela Cavallo and union IG Metall, which is preparing labor disputes and possible strikes after year-end. An earlier report on October 19 said VW planned a multi-year pay freeze for its 600,000+ global employees through 2030.
- 04United States·Policy & Law
White House clears proposed PERM green card overhaul to boost protections for US workers
The White House has cleared a proposed overhaul of the PERM employment-based green card program, weeks after PERM suspensions hit major companies including Microsoft. The Labor Department says current rules date to 2004 and rely on outdated newspaper ads. Reforms would focus on recruiting Americans, protecting laid-off workers, non-discriminatory hiring and employer recordkeeping, and will go out for public comment.
- 05Europe·News
Volvo Cars to cut additional 2,500 jobs amid China, US sales slump
On Oct 23, 2026, Volvo Cars announced an additional 2,500 job cuts, about 6% of its workforce, as it reported a Q3 2026 operating loss of SEK5.5 billion. Sales fell 23% year-on-year to SEK66.8 billion, with China sales down 41% and global sales down 11%. CEO Hakan Samuelsson said the old strategy of developing in Europe and selling premium cars in China no longer works.
- 06Europe·Policy & Law
MEPs visit Amazon warehouses in Germany and Poland over worker surveillance, algorithmic management
A delegation of Members of the European Parliament is visiting Amazon logistics centres in Germany and Poland on October 26-27 to investigate workplace monitoring, productivity targets and trade union rights. The fact-finding mission comes as the European Commission prepares its Quality Jobs Act, expected to address algorithmic management and working conditions.
- 07Canada & Latin America·Policy & Law
Quebec's new government pledges to raise paid vacation to three weeks for all eligible workers
After Quebec's new Parti Québécois government was sworn in Oct. 21, 2026, Premier Paul St-Pierre Plamondon tasked the new labour minister with raising minimum paid vacation to three weeks for employees with one year of service; no effective date has been set. The PQ holds only 59 of 127 seats, so opposition support is needed. Current law grants two weeks after one year (4% pay) and three weeks after three years (6% pay); employer group CPQ estimates vacation pay could rise to 6%.
- 08Europe·Policy & Law
UK right-to-work scheme expands from 1 October to cover contractors and agency workers
From 1 October 2026, the UK's right-to-work scheme expanded beyond direct employees to cover workers engaged under a worker's contract, individual subcontractors, or via online matching services, and introduces extended liability for businesses relying on other employers to supply workers. Employing someone without the right to work can result in a civil penalty of up to £60,000 per worker and possible criminal sanctions. The Home Office has issued guidance on the expanded rules.
- 09Europe·Policy & Law
UK government publishes consultation responses on Employment Rights Act dismissal rules
The UK government has published responses to consultations on dismissal and re-engagement (fire and rehire) practices and on extending dismissal protection for pregnant employees, part of implementing the Employment Rights Act reform plan. Related reforms also address zero-hours contracts and shift pattern changes.
- 10Middle East & Africa·Policy & Law
Saudi HR Ministry: Five worker categories covered by Nitaqat wage hike to SR6,000
Saudi Deputy HR Minister Abdullah Abuthnain said the Nitaqat Saudization wage threshold hike covers five worker categories: full-time, part-time, flexible-arrangement employees, part-time students, and disabled workers able to work. It will roll out in two phases: SR5,000 from April 25, 2027, rising to SR6,000 from April 25, 2028, with grace periods for employers.
Coming into force
Next 30 daysFunding & M&A
| Company | Round | Amount | Investors |
|---|---|---|---|
| KnowledgeWork | Series C | undisclosed | Mizuho Bank, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, Mitsubishi UFJ Bank, Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank, Shoko Chukin Bank, Shizuoka Bank, Bank of Fukuoka |
| M&A Red Alpha Singapore and nuKudo merge to launch tech workforce provider Aleph | |||