About Malaysia’s Polls, Rehiring Air Crew, and Rising Healthcare Costs: HR News Roundup for October 2022
The big news this month is Malaysia’s general election, which may lead to a raft of new HR policies. It’s far from the only newsworthy story in the region though: here’s our HR news roundup from Southeast Asia and beyond for October 2022.
Image credit: Ore Huiying/Getty Images
Malaysia Goes to the Polls on 19 November
Malaysia’s Election Commission has announced 19 November 2022 as polling day for the country’s 15th general election since independence. This follows the dissolution of Parliament on 10 October by Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, on the advice of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
Although polling day falls on a Saturday, many are expected to take leave a day or two earlier in order to return to their hometowns and cast their vote. Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri M. Saravanan has also called on employers to give their employees time off to vote and carry out their civic duties.
Image credit: AirAsia
AirAsia X to Rehire Pilots and Cabin Crew
AirAsia X is expected to rehire all pilots and cabin crew who were furloughed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. This is following the airline’s recovery momentum as it increases flights to 44 weekly across 10 routes, and is expanding its Thai AirAsia X operations to fly 22 weekly services across five routes in the next two months.
“Since the pandemic, [AirAsia X] has already reactivated 175 pilots and 285 cabin crew including rehiring 131 cabin crew who were retrenched during the pandemic,” the airline said in a statement.
Image credit: Artur Tumasjan/Unsplash
Doctors Most in Demand in Singapore, Data Shows
Data revealed by jobs portal Indeed has shown that doctors and other healthcare workers are most in demand in Singapore. The data showed a 52.6% increase in job postings between 31 May to 31 August 2022 for physicians and surgeons, as well as a 11.7% increase in postings for nurses.
Callam Pickering, Indeed's APAC Economist, said, “The report indicates that the Singapore job market remains favourable for jobseekers and challenging for recruitment across most industries and occupations.”
Image credit: Olympus
Olympus Names Stefan Kaufmann as New CEO, Pivots to Medtech
Japan’s Olympus has announced that German executive Stefan Kaufmann will be the new president and CEO. He takes over from Yasuo Takeuchi, who will become the chairman and environmental, social and governance (ESG) officer.
Kaufmann has served as Olympus’ chief administrative officer and also chief strategy officer during his 20 year-tenure with the company. The move comes as Olympus seeks to expand into medical technology. It is already the world's largest maker of endoscopes. In 2020, it sold off its famed camera business to private equity company Japan Industrial Partners
Image credit: Towfiqu barbhuiya/Unsplash
Healthcare Benefit Costs Projected to Rise
The 2022 Global Medical Trends Survey report released by insurer WTW has revealed that inflation and increased healthcare usage will drive global healthcare benefit costs to their highest level in nearly 15 years. In the Asia Pacific region, the survey projects a 10.2% year-on-year increase for 2023, compared to 6.9% in 2022 and 9.8% in 2021.
According to the survey, the leading driver of costs is medical practitioners recommending too many services, as well as poor health habits by insured members.
Image credit: Swapnil Bapat/Unsplash
Singapore Lifts Vaccination-Differentiated Safe Management Measures
Singapore's Ministry of Health (MOH) has lifted all vaccination-differentiated safe management measures (VDS) for: (i) events with more than 500 participants at any one time, (ii) nightlife establishments where dancing among patrons is one of the intended activities, and (iii) dining in at F&B establishments, including hawker centres.
Nevertheless, the MOH has urged non-fully vaccinated persons to come forward and be vaccinated due to a higher risk of severe disease. The MOH also reserves the option to re-implement VDS at short notice if needed.
Learn how BrioHR can simplify HR for your business by getting a free demo here.
The big news this month is Malaysia’s general election, which may lead to a raft of new HR policies. It’s far from the only newsworthy story in the region though: here’s our HR news roundup from Southeast Asia and beyond for October 2022.
Malaysia Goes to the Polls on 19 November
Malaysia’s Election Commission has announced 19 November 2022 as polling day for the country’s 15th general election since independence. This follows the dissolution of Parliament on 10 October by Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, on the advice of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
Although polling day falls on a Saturday, many are expected to take leave a day or two earlier in order to return to their hometowns and cast their vote. Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri M. Saravanan has also called on employers to give their employees time off to vote and carry out their civic duties.
AirAsia X to Rehire Pilots and Cabin Crew
AirAsia X is expected to rehire all pilots and cabin crew who were furloughed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. This is following the airline’s recovery momentum as it increases flights to 44 weekly across 10 routes, and is expanding its Thai AirAsia X operations to fly 22 weekly services across five routes in the next two months.
“Since the pandemic, [AirAsia X] has already reactivated 175 pilots and 285 cabin crew including rehiring 131 cabin crew who were retrenched during the pandemic,” the airline said in a statement.
Doctors Most in Demand in Singapore, Data Shows
Data revealed by jobs portal Indeed has shown that doctors and other healthcare workers are most in demand in Singapore. The data showed a 52.6% increase in job postings between 31 May to 31 August 2022 for physicians and surgeons, as well as a 11.7% increase in postings for nurses.
Callam Pickering, Indeed’s APAC Economist, said, “The report indicates that the Singapore job market remains favourable for jobseekers and challenging for recruitment across most industries and occupations.”
Olympus Names Stefan Kaufmann as New CEO, Pivots to Medtech
Japan’s Olympus has announced that German executive Stefan Kaufmann will be the new president and CEO. He takes over from Yasuo Takeuchi, who will become the chairman and environmental, social and governance (ESG) officer.
Kaufmann has served as Olympus’ chief administrative officer and also chief strategy officer during his 20 year-tenure with the company. The move comes as Olympus seeks to expand into medical technology. It is already the world’s largest maker of endoscopes. In 2020, it sold off its famed camera business to private equity company Japan Industrial Partners
Healthcare Benefit Costs Projected to Rise
The 2022 Global Medical Trends Survey report released by insurer WTW has revealed that inflation and increased healthcare usage will drive global healthcare benefit costs to their highest level in nearly 15 years. In the Asia Pacific region, the survey projects a 10.2% year-on-year increase for 2023, compared to 6.9% in 2022 and 9.8% in 2021.
According to the survey, the leading driver of costs is medical practitioners recommending too many services, as well as poor health habits by insured members.
Singapore Lifts Vaccination-Differentiated Safe Management Measures
Singapore’s Ministry of Health (MOH) has lifted all vaccination-differentiated safe management measures (VDS) for: (i) events with more than 500 participants at any one time, (ii) nightlife establishments where dancing among patrons is one of the intended activities, and (iii) dining in at F&B establishments, including hawker centres.
Nevertheless, the MOH has urged non-fully vaccinated persons to come forward and be vaccinated due to a higher risk of severe disease. The MOH also reserves the option to re-implement VDS at short notice if needed.
Learn how BrioHR can simplify HR for your business by getting a free demo here.
