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Jobs

Jobs
News about job creation, job losses, labour disputes, wage trends and other developments from around the world with a focus on Hong Kong and China.
Construction workers in California in March. Photo: via AFP
United States

US adds 178,000 jobs in March but Middle East war ‘likely not incorporated’

Gains in a slumping market were about three times the forecast, thought to be linked to construction firms doing more in recent warm weather.

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The Philippines

How soaring fuel prices are pushing Filipino farmers to the brink

China trade

‘Careful scrutiny’ needed in China’s applications of AI: Jiang Xiaojuan

Hong Kong economy

Editorial | Hong Kong graduates need to adapt to secure a job in the AI era

There is no point in lamenting AI’s rise. The focus must be on flexibility and learning to live with the technology.

Graduating students take photos on the University of Hong Kong campus. Photo: Dickson Lee
China society

Opinion | Why China’s AI automation push is a risky social experiment

Without reforms to improve wages, housing access and childcare, automation could entrench a low-fertility crisis and destabilise the social contract.

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Education in Hong Kong

Opinion | Hong Kong’s education policy must reflect the innovative future it seeks

The city aims to be a leader in the creative and innovation industry, but how much of that vision is translated into its schools?

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China jobs

China’s youth unemployment falls for sixth consecutive month in February

But young job-hunters say they are still struggling to find work in a testing post-holiday labour market amid rising global economic uncertainty.

Young people line up at career guidance booths during a job fair in Beijing on March 14 as China’s youth unemployment rate grows amid a testing post-holiday labour market. Photo: Reuters
Japan

‘Poor’ foreigners not welcome? Japan bets on AI while upping visa fee

Critics say the fee rise is designed to keep ‘poor’ foreigners out, as Japan bets on AI and robots to plug its growing staffing shortfall.

Indonesia

Top of the world: why Indonesian workers are happiest in Asia-Pacific

While a survey shows that 82 per cent of Indonesian workers are happy, it also flags increasing burnout among them.

Asean

Southeast Asia’s scam compound survivors suffer in stigma and silence

Many survivors return home to inhabit a murky space between victim and offender, with few support services to help them reintegrate.

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Detained scam centre workers are seen after a raid on a compound in Myanmar’s eastern Myawaddy township last year. Photo: AFP
United States

Meta plans to cut up to 20% of staff to fund AI infrastructure

If Meta settles on the 20 per cent figure, the lay-offs will be its biggest since 21,000 were made redundant in its ‘year of efficiency’.

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg wears the Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses during an event at the company’s headquarters in Menlo Park on September 17, 2025. Photo: Reuters
Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

Funding cuts trigger calls for help on jobs from Hong Kong’s physiotherapists

Hong Kong Physiotherapy Association alarmed by hiring freezes and job losses at NGOs despite rising demand for services.

Hong Kong economy

Exclusive | Hong Kong job openings hit 6-year low in 69% of sectors amid AI’s ascent

Vacancies in 23 out of 33 job sectors, including IT and customer service, fell to their lowest number in six years.

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China consumption

Beijing urged to boost rural pensions as lawmakers fight for farmers’ fair share

Appeals highlight a long-standing lack of benefits for elderly citizens outside cities, and proposals include leveraging state assets and new taxes to bridge the vast disparity.

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An elderly Chinese farmer works a vegetable field in Anhui province. Photo: Getty Images
Hong Kong economy

Proposed 33% rise in MPF payments ‘may pile on business pressure, hit jobs’

But labour sector lawmaker calls for bolder increases in maximum income level threshold to meet statutory requirements and reflect rising salaries.

More than 2.6 million employees are registered under MPF schemes. Photo: Dickson Lee
India

Boom times for India’s economy but opportunities remain uneven

Analysts caution that a significant portion of India’s workforce remains in relatively low-productivity and informal sectors.

United States

US sheds 92,000 jobs in warning sign for Trump’s economy

Unemployment crept up, while job numbers showed a surprise reversal from growth in the previous month.

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China jobs

China should up education spending to help population adapt to AI era: economist

Prominent Chinese economist says it is imperative to ensure the next generation can withstand the changes being driven by AI.

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A humanoid robot waves to children at a kindergarten in China’s eastern Shandong province. Photo: Getty Images
Nepal

‘This is our moment’: Nepal’s Gen Z voters hope for ‘turning point’ in election

While all the parties have pledged economic growth and job creation, thousands are leaving Nepal each day in search of a better life.

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Thailand

‘Not going anywhere’: Thai workers in Israel refuse to flee despite Iran threat

Bangkok has been here before: 46 Thais died in the Hamas assault that started the Gaza war. Now it fears history may be repeating.

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Artificial intelligence

Outside In | Everyone agrees that AI is big. No one agrees on what comes next

Job fears, environmental strain and security threats are fuelling the botlash, yet experts remain divided over its net impact – and our ability to contain the risks.

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A protest against Elon Musk’s xAI, federal law enforcement agents, the deployment of the National Guard during the “Get Out of Memphis” protest in Tennessee, US, on October 4, 2025. Photo: AFP
Japan

Cash-for-tips scheme in Japan sparks debate over migrant rights

Backers argue tougher measures are needed to curb unauthorised employment, but migrant advocates fear unintended social consequences.

People walking at JR Mito station in Ibaraki prefecture in eastern Japan. Photo: Kyodo
China-EU relations

Opinion | Germany’s outreach to China signals a reckoning, rather than a shift

The German chancellor realises that while China poses a long-term economic challenge, the United States is currently the more disruptive partner.

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Japan

Clocking off: is Japan’s culture of overwork finally dying?

The average hours put in by Japanese workers are lower than those of their American and Italian counterparts.

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China education

China’s vocational degrees rising as students seek skills over prestige

Job-placement rates for vocational undergraduate colleges now outpace traditional universities, as youth unemployment drives pivot to more reliable employment path.

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Vocational undergraduate colleges in China have expanded rapidly, growing from just 15 during a pilot phase in 2019 to more than 100. Photo: Getty Images
Artificial intelligence

China’s tech giants pursue AI, semiconductor talent in US amid fierce rivalry

ByteDance, Baidu, Alibaba Cloud and MiniMax are among the firms now actively recruiting fresh talent in the US.

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Major Chinese technology companies are ramping up recruitment of artificial intelligence and semiconductor talent in key US tech hubs. Photo: Shutterstock
Trade

Outside In | Try as it might, the US alone can’t reverse the tide of globalisation

Accounting for a significant share of world trade, Europe and Asia are far more decisive players in the fast-changing globalised economy.

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Hong Kong society

Editorial | Minimum wage rises must not leave behind city’s most vulnerable

As the economic pie grows, money-making companies can afford to do more so employees who are struggling get their fair share of return.

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