As expats exit Hong Kong and mainlanders enter, businesses and communities count the costs. How are they adapting?

By:
On:
In: Asia

The non-Chinese population stood at less than half that count three years ago, at around 593,000, according to the territory’s once-a-decade census. While not directly comparable due to the inclusion of mobile residents – people who do not live there full-time – the figures indicate a net outflow of foreigners.

Analysts have cited key factors like the hefty toll exacted by strict COVID-19 curbs, along with the political shifts in the wake of the 2019-2020 mass protests and a subsequent sweeping crackdown by China in the form of the national security law.

They add that global financial hubs like Singapore and Dubai have also become more attractive to expats, especially with the pandemic and politics weighing particularly heavy on Hong Kong. 

Data from international relocation company Asian Tigers Group over the last four years bears out this trend. While inbound numbers remain similar, it has seen a near 50 per cent drop in outbound figures since 2020 – indicating a widening gap between expats moving in and out of Hong Kong. 

“In the past 20 years, people I met who’ve been here for more than 20 years who say ‘I’m leaving,’ it definitely (could be counted) within these 10 fingers,” Mr Ng Yew Beng, general manager of Asian Tigers Group, told CNA.

“But in the past three or four years, I need to use your fingers, toes, and that guy’s fingers,” he quipped, referring to the increased tally of departing expats. 

Continue Reading

The ‘new normal’: Singapore firms face higher costs in preparing for erratic weather

By:
On:
In: South-East Asia

COSTS LIKELY TO GO UP

The Singapore National Employers Federation also welcomed the advisory, as it provides clear and actionable guidance on the preventive measures that employers can take against specific weather-related hazards, said its deputy honorary treasurer and workplace safety and health council member Adrian Lim.

It also serves as a “timely reminder” for all employers to conduct regular risk assessments of safety and health hazards at workplaces and implement the necessary measures to mitigate the risks, he added. 

Still, Mr Lim acknowledged that employers would run into practical challenges when making the recommended weather-related adjustments.

In the construction sector, for example, rescheduling outdoor work to parts of the day when the temperature is cooler could mean extending work into the night. 

“This is not always possible due to noise affecting nearby residents,” said Mr Lim. 

Costs for employers would likely go up, said SMU’s Assoc Prof van Gevelt, such as in the form of installing cooling infrastructure for workers.

NUS’ Assoc Prof Lee said: “Ensuring workers’ safety and health is always a good investment, but ultimately, this depends on what measures the employers choose to implement.”

Some are cost-free, while there are upfront costs for other measures which need to be weighed against the longer-term benefits, he said. 

One infrastructure and civil engineering company, OKP Holdings, told CNA that it has already spent more than S$50,000 (US$39,000) implementing measures to cope with extreme weather conditions. 

Its workers are generally exposed to two types of weather-related risks – lightning during heavy rains and heat stress due to rising temperatures.

Workers are prohibited from working outdoors during adverse weather conditions, such as heavy rain and when there is lightning.

In cases of extreme hot weather, workers are provided with cooler boxes and ice cubes to keep their bottled water cold. The company also sets up water points and water parades – a local term for water drinking session – as well as heat stress boxes for emergencies.

Misting systems and solar fans have also been installed at sheltered rest areas at construction sites.

With the recent advisory, OKP Holdings said it will review and revise its risk assessment to ensure that adverse weather conditions are taken into consideration. 

This is among the four measures that MOM and the WSH Council advised employers to implement to better prepare for adverse weather conditions.

Others include monitoring weather conditions closely by using weather monitoring systems and subscribing to weather alerts; communicating possible weather-related hazards to workers and training them to recognise such hazards; as well as preparing recovery plans and inspecting affected structures and essential outdoor machinery and equipment.

“The group expects to incur additional costs as we continue to enhance measures to safeguard the welfare of workers in adverse weather conditions,” said OKP Holdings, adding that the investment will be “beneficial in the long run”.

Continue Reading

Dyson conducts ‘surprise’ layoffs in Singapore, leaving employees in shock and in ‘low morale’

By:
On:
In: South-East Asia

SINGAPORE: Dyson conducted a round of layoffs in Singapore on Tuesday ( Oct 1 ) in a” surprise” move that has left employees here feeling shocked and in “low morale”.

This comes about three weeks after the tech firm said Singapore, which serves as its world mind business, was” never explicitly impacted” by a worldwide reform that involved about 1, 000 job cuts in Britain.

The retrenchment exercise on Tuesday was done “very discreetly”, with those impacted receiving an email notifying them of a “one-on-one” meeting, &nbsp, said an employee who was laid off on Tuesday and spoke on condition of anonymity.

The room will have a HR representative there. Unfortunately, reason given ( was ) the job is redundant, and we need to pack our things and prepare to leave”, the employee said. &nbsp,

” We wo n’t know who was called into the room… ( I ) saw lots of envelope”.

Those laid off were from the manufacturing and procurement departments, said another employee who also spoke to CNA anonymously. On Tuesday, both parties are unsure how many employees were let go.

One of the employees claimed that Dyson had previously conducted a round of layoffs in Johor Bahru, where it has a development center. Given how the company had announced it was increasing its investments in Singapore, Tuesday’s retrenchment exercise was unexpected.

” People are shocked and have low morale, as they are n’t sure when their turn might come”, said the employee, adding that it came as a” surprise”.

A Dyson spokesperson responded to inquiries from CNA with the following statement:” We constantly change the composition of our teams and take steps to ensure we have the right skills in the right places. Our goals in Singapore remain the same, and we anticipate that we will continue to expand there in the near future.

The company did not respond to other inquiries regarding the number of employees who were laid off on Tuesday, the types of job positions that were eliminated, and why, as well as how the company is assisting those who were impacted.

Continue Reading

Malaysia’s VEP rollout: Lighter traffic at land checkpoints, drivers say no reminders issued so far

By:
On:
In: Asia

The estimated time for drivers to travel across both land crossings was between 15 and 20 minutes, significantly less than the average of 40 to 50 hours, according to the” Beat the Jam” mobile app, a company that monitors the traffic situation at both the Woodlands Causeway and Tuas Second Link, based on data from a week ago. &nbsp,

LIGHTER Transportation, EMPTIER VEP CENTRES

According to a Home Ministry standard, customers amount at the Bangunan Sultan Iskandar Customs, Immigration and Quarantine difficult, linked to Woodlands Causeway, was 20 per cent light on Tuesday night, reported Indonesian news outlet The Star. He did not specify the base of comparison.

The official claimed that it was too early to determine whether the fall was caused by the implementation of the VEP. &nbsp,

Transport Minister Anthony Loke had previously stated in May that Malaysia would require all foreign-registered vehicles using vehicle entry permits (VEPs ) from October 1 when they enter the country via land from Singapore. &nbsp,

The VEP would allow the government to monitor unusual vehicles that enter or leave the nation and to impose fines on drivers before they are permitted to depart.

From that date, any foreign motor vehicle that did not have a VEP could be entered or remain in Malaysia could be jailed for up to six months or subject to a fine of up to RM2, 000 ( US$ 425 ). &nbsp,

However, many individuals had trouble obtaining a VEP, so the JPJ announced on September 27 that enforcement may be “executed in cycles,” starting with memories and warnings starting on October 1. &nbsp,

Malaysia has not yet confirmed that all VEP needs will be fully implemented. &nbsp,

In addition, the VEP areas in Johor Bahru had fewer attendees on Tuesday night than they did in previous months. &nbsp, &nbsp,

Around 40 individuals gathered their tags or posed inquiries at the Danga Bay center, which was run by transfer company TCSens. At least 100 people were waiting for a router range when CNA visited the center two weeks ago, including a long range of vehicles. &nbsp, &nbsp, &nbsp,

Mr. Peter Soh, who was present to obtain and mount his tag, was one of the drivers that on Tuesday morning. &nbsp,

Continue Reading

I drove into Malaysia without a VEP tag on Day 1. This is what happened

By:
On:
In: South-East Asia

NO WARNINGS ISSUED

I also observed a Road Transport Department Malaysia (RTDM) official taking pictures of the vehicles in the rest area while walking around the parking lot. &nbsp,

When approached, he told CNA that he had spoken to some Singapore vehicles, answering questions about VEP protection. But no cautions -&nbsp, linguistic or usually- appeared to have been issued. &nbsp, &nbsp,

In itself, this was not a wonder. Indonesian authorities had said last week that instructions, if needed, had been handed out to individuals before they left Malaysia, which I assumed may take place at the emigration station.

Preparing to flee the country, I handed my card to the emigration official, who made no mention of VEP. &nbsp,

She questioned how I had driven in without a VEP when I inquired about a caution because the vehicle I was driving had one. The company also seemed to be aware of any statement regarding the postpone in VEP police, and for that matter, the warning itself. &nbsp,

And with that, I was on the way up to Singapore.

Maybe I got lucky in evading a reminder. Emboldened, I decided to try once. Two U-turns afterwards, I was up at Malaysian immigration, heading up to Singapore.

Once, I was issued no notice of any kind. I contacted the immigration officer, who informed me that the road transportation department ( JPJ), a distinct entity from the immigration team, dealt with VEP issues.

Continue Reading

Internet down for some MyRepublic customers for more than 17 hours

By:
On:
In: South-East Asia

Customers from MyRepublic have been having trouble with their broadband connection since Monday afternoon ( Sep 30 ).

The telecommunications business stated in a Facebook post on Monday that it was conscious of a possible community broadband connectivity issue that might affect some customers in the north-east region. &nbsp,

” Our channel team is currently investigating”, it added. &nbsp,

The company stated in an update to its site at 7:30 p.m. that a correct was being used to recover connectivity for the impacted customers.

But, on Tuesday night, many MyRepublic clients said the situation remained unanswered. Some vented their anger on MyRepublic’s Facebook post.

” It is still lower”! one writer said at around 7am. &nbsp,

Is there a clause in the contract that enables consumers to cancel as a result of non-fulfilment?

Another writer, who was still having troubles at around 9.30am, said he had been experiencing problems since 3pm the day before.

Some clients also argued that this was not the first day they experienced networking issues. &nbsp,

” Why is MyRepublic constantly having internet issues ( these two ) years”? said a buyer at around 6.40am. &nbsp,

” Dread switching recently”, said another user. &nbsp,

” When I was on Star Hub, I experienced issues like this, probably only three to four times in three to four years. And here I am, less than three times in after switching, now next moment facing this”.

CNA has contacted MyRepublic with inquiries regarding the root cause and resolution of the problem. &nbsp,

Continue Reading

How far has China gone into making its AI ambitions a reality?

By:
On:
In: Asia

TAPPING THE AI TALENT POOL

He added that China has the world’s largest share of AI professionals. &nbsp,

Every month, there are about 3.7 million STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics ) graduates in China, said Fang. The United States, in contrast, produces 800, 000. &nbsp,

” Annually, China publishes the highest amount of AI scientific papers in the world, more than the US”, he added. ” But, in terms of highly-cited documents, the US takes the top position, and China is minute”.

However, China is losing to the US at the top end of the AI skills pool.

A 2022 review found that among the leading 2 per cent of AI skills widespread, only 12 per cent operate in China, whereas 57 per cent function in the US.

It is still a step up from 2018, when China was not one of the major economies.

While China trails the US in high-end AI research, it is making great strides in applying Artificial in real-world cases.

China has a number of benefits, including its enormous client base and huge data sources, which” can be fed into the algorithm to make it more precise and accurate,” according to Patrick Liu, a scientist at Roland Berger Strategy Consultants. &nbsp,

” The more information you have, the more precise and accurate your product may be, which means it may obtain better business performance”, he told CNA’s East Asia Now.

“( Then, ) you would attract more consumers to use your product, which in turn generates more data to feed into your algorithm, ( making ) it a positive cycle”.

Continue Reading

Gig girls: Meet 4 women in Singapore who have fulfilling day jobs but started passion-filled side hustles

By:
On:
In: South-East Asia

To the untrained, songs and road building may not have anything in common. But Elsa Mickayla begs to differ.

” They both require creativity”, said Mickayla, 30. ” I see both like creating artwork, while one is physical and the other is audio”.

Mickayla is a music manufacturer, organizer and glad father, and is also a part of the award-winning a singing group, The Island Voices.

She just released two singles, has plans to release new music each month this year, and is also getting ready to relieve her full-length record at the end of the year.

Mickayla claimed that writing and producing her personal roll and R&amp, B audio gives her the freedom to express herself and to present her own ideas.

Mickayla is one of the few female road setters in Singapore when she is not producing music and uses her creative juices for path setting. A course setter creates climbing roads or rock problems on artificial climbing walls and designs them.

After companions suggested that Mickayla be interested in road setting, she began bouldering in 2019 as a hobby. She discovered way setting on the job, which took her about a quarter to master.

She currently works for Boulder Plus and Boulder Planet as a independent way stopper.

Continue Reading

As Malaysia’s VEP policy kicks in, what can Singapore drivers expect?

By:
On:
In: South-East Asia

The challenge gate had then opened and the RFID detector at these booths would identify the tags and automatically withdraw the amount needed. &nbsp,

Does VEP be used to track traffic violations by individuals? &nbsp,

Malaysian authorities can also use the VEP system to track foreign-registered vehicles that have n’t paid traffic offense fines. &nbsp,

Singapore drivers with excellent customers fines in Malaysia may be subject to police action starting January 1, 2025, according to JPJ in a statement released in August. &nbsp,

Drivers who have paid fines may be denied access to Malaysia starting next year, and in severe cases, their automobiles may be impounded by Malaysian authorities. &nbsp,

How to apply for VEP? &nbsp,

Singapore drivers who have not yet applied for a VEP and want to travel into Malaysia you sign up for an account at the company’s official website, vep. jpj. gov. my.

Before entering Malaysia, masters of all car types, including personal and business ones, must first enroll for a VEP. Registration is also required for federal and embassies. &nbsp,

Once the account is authenticated, applicants can log into a portal to upload a vehicle log card or manually fill in information, including the vehicle’s model, certificate of entitlement ( COE ) and chassis numbers.

The Land Transport Authority’s OneMotoring site can be used to retrieve the vehicle register card.

A consultant you apply for a VEP on the vehicle’s representative.

Individuals can choose to obtain RFID keywords by mail, but many people favor having them installed at authorized centers, which causes longer lines. &nbsp,

What documents are needed for the VEP software?

All VEP applicants may have their NRIC, card, vehicle highway tax, insurance, car model and Technical details available.

When an application is approved, what is vehicles do? &nbsp,

Individuals may receive an email alert once the application is approved to choose a method for bringing the VEP RFID tag home: self-collection at one of the four VEP series centers, or couriered by article to your target. &nbsp, &nbsp,

The top left corner of the visor or the remaining lamp of the vehicle is neither house the RFID label. &nbsp,

Continue Reading

As China’s Golden Week begins, its ‘tiaoxiu’ policy dulls holiday glow for some. Is it time for change?

By:
On:
In: Asia

SINGAPORE:” Primary 1 kids feel it the most. After every National Day vacation, you’ll discover some kids whining and in weeping”, said Chinese professor Ou Yang Hui Er, who teaches at&nbsp, Liwan Overseas Chinese Elementary School in Guangzhou, China.

Post-holiday music are not uncommon, but they are frequently felt more keenly in China as a result of the country’s historic exercise of “tiaoxiu” or adjusted sleep, where work and school days are adjusted to cut out long, unbroken blocks of time off.

After the week-long” Golden Week” National Day holidays that started on Tuesday ( October 1 ), workers and students are subject to a make-up day of work and school, respectively. As per this policy, workers and students are subject to a make-up day of work and school. They were required to record a day like that straight before the break. &nbsp,

According to Ms. Ou Yang, it’s not uncommon to see many kids become ill after the break. While her 20-plus years of teaching encounter means she’s properly prepared for the common rise, the 47-year-old feels the condition may be improved.

” What we can do is slow down the pace”, she said. ” Anyone needs a day or two to recuperate- not only physically, but to recover our spirits to”.

Although there is occasional criticism of tiaoxiu, the training has come under particular scrutiny this year as a result of the adjustments made to the National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holidays, which have had an impact on five right workweeks.

Some Chinese analysts have also made public criticism of the plan, adding to the chorus of virtual complaints as users express their frustration.

Watchers told CNA that China must measure the effectiveness of tiaoxiu in rousing consumption, a trend that has been increasing in response to economic woes, and whether such loud appeals accurately reflect the opinions of the general public.

” TOO TIRED TO SPEND”

But what exactly is tiaoxiu? &nbsp,

Just put, it is a technique used in China to change public holidays. Running days are shifted to produce more breaks when public holidays occur in the middle of the month, typically by having employees work on weekends before or after the holiday period.

Continue Reading