Global Scans · Work · Weekly Summary

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WHAT'S NEXT?: AI will replace 16% of jobs over the next decade. A billion people will enter the job market over the next ten years.

• Initiatives like railway corridors, metro expansion, Vande Bharat trains, and new airports will bolster efficiency and create jobs. Thermal Control Business Update | HVAC-R Industry
• Traders and economists expect the NFP report to show that the US created 187K net new jobs, with average hourly earnings rising 0.3% m/m and the U3 unemployment rate ticking up to 3.8%. investing.com
• A reasonably soft jobs data is good for the Fed doves and should further weigh on the US dollar, a stronger-than-expected figure - if not abnormally strong - should not impact the May cut expectations and keep the dollar bulls contained. investing.com
• The US economy added a stunning 353,000 jobs last month, registering a stronger-than-expected gain to kick off 2024 and underscoring the resilience of the US economy in an election year. CNN
• Budget 2024 could be a turning point for the Modi government to give hope to India's immense young population seeking a bright future, but the growing unemployment rate is a big worry. The Economic Times
• The Chinese government's continued use of forced labour in Xinjiang, and the failure of car companies to adequately address forced labour risks, underscore the need for governments to require companies to map their supply chains and eliminate links to forced labour and other human rights abuses. Human Rights Watch
• Uyghur human rights groups have expressed concern that the SAIC-Volkswagen plant in Xinjiang could both be a site for forced labour itself and could be sourcing parts or materials produced with forced labour. Human Rights Watch
• There were ways to work with Chinese suppliers to increase supply chain transparency and tackle links to Xinjiang while minimizing the risk of government retaliation. Human Rights Watch
• Even without operational control of joint ventures, carmakers still have a responsibility under the UN Guiding Principles to use the leverage they do have to ensure joint ventures address the risk of forced labour and other human rights abuses in their supply chains. Human Rights Watch
• Car companies have a responsibility under the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights to prevent or mitigate the risk of forced labour and other human rights abuses directly linked to their operations by their business relationships, including through their supply chains. Human Rights Watch
• Avoid reliance on certification initiatives, including the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative, as an indicator of whether suppliers are sourcing responsibly and addressing the risk of links to forced labour in Xinjiang. Human Rights Watch
• US customs officials have detained a limited number of aluminum products for further investigation over risk of links to forced labour and have warned importers that, unless they can provide the origin of their aluminum, their products risk being detained. Human Rights Watch
• The threat of Chinese government retaliation deterred companies from talking to their China-based suppliers and joint ventures about their potential links to forced labour in Xinjiang. Human Rights Watch
• Confronted with an opaque aluminum industry and the threat of Chinese government reprisals for investigating links to Xinjiang, carmakers in many cases remain unaware of the extent of their exposure to forced labour. Human Rights Watch
• Despite the risk of exposure to forced labour through Xinjiang's aluminum, some car manufacturers in China have succumbed to government pressure to apply weaker human rights and responsible sourcing standards at their Chinese joint ventures than in their global operations. Human Rights Watch
• The comprehensive Udemy Intelligent Skills Platform will include Udemy AI Learning Assistant, Udemy AI Skills Mapping and several new enhancements for content creators / instructors, such as a gen AI-assisted Q & A feature. Yahoo Finance
• Other people working in the cannabis space are optimistic but have a healthy level of skepticism that recreational dispensaries will be able to open in early 2025. MPR News
• The draft Acas Code of Practice on handling predictable working pattern requests will create more red tape, reduce productivity and hinder contractor recruitment. HR Magazine
• Significantly expanded Strategic R&D commitment in the UK with a new design center in Cambridge that will give Microchip access to a highly skilled engineering workforce, allowing it to expand rapidly and develop new solutions for a wide range of markets. MarketScreener
• While HRW's report acknowledges the Chinese government uses the claim of political sensitivity regarding Xinjiang as a carte blanche to quash discussion on human rights abuses, it argues car companies could still do more to minimise the risks of relying on aluminium produced by forced labour. The Guardian
• If India is to reach the ambitious target of $7 trillion GDP by 2030, it is important to focus on infrastructure development, energy security, skill development and emphasis on innovation and entrepreneurship. Trak.in - Indian Business of Tech, Mobile & Startups
• A multi-pronged legal attack under way by Elon Musk, large corporations, business groups and anti-union litigators threatens to raise havoc with US labour law and hobble a resurgent labour movement. The Guardian
• Malaysia's current efforts include offering healthcare services, access to education, and employment opportunities. Scoop | News You Can Use, Investigative Reports, Sports

Last updated: 05 February 2024