Anjum Khan

For years, salary was considered the most powerful lever in Hong Kong's fiercely competitive labour market. Today, however, employees appear to be sending employers a different message: a bigger paycheck is no longer enough if it comes at the expense of personal well-being. According to Randstad Hong Kong's 2026 Employer Brand Research, work-life balance has not only retained its position as the most important Employee Value Proposition (EVP) for workers, but has widened its lead significantly.

The Philippine government has approved a new roadmap aimed at strengthening workplace safety and expanding social protection coverage for workers in the construction sector, as authorities intensify efforts to address safety risks and improve labor standards across the industry. The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) led the approval of the Philippine Roadmap for the Global Accelerator on Jobs and Social Protection for Just Transitions.

San Francisco-based trading platform Robinhood's decision to cut nearly 10% of its workforce despite reporting strong business performance is drawing renewed attention to a growing trend across the technology sector: profitable companies reducing headcount in pursuit of leaner, higher-performing organisations. The company announced this week that 290 employees would be laid off, representing about 10% of its full-time workforce.