Human Resources

The proposed changes are intended to make it easier for workers to move to better-paid roles without being restricted by clauses in their employment contracts. The Albanese Government has released draft legislation to ban non-compete clauses for Australian workers earning below the Fair Work Act high-income threshold, currently set at AUD$190,100 a year.

The government is considering whether to extend screening beyond regulated sectors, including through voluntary or certificate-based checks for tutors, coaches, and volunteers. Singapore is considering expanding its screening framework for jobs involving contact with children and young persons, including whether voluntary screening could be introduced for roles in currently unregulated sectors.

This follows the closures of its Raffles City Shopping Centre and Jewel Changi Airport outlets, bringing its Singapore operations to an end. American cinnamon roll chain Cinnabon is set to leave Singapore, with its ION Orchard store to serve its last Bon on 22 September 2026. The brand announced the closure on Facebook and Instagram, thanking customers who had made Cinnabon part of their “cravings, catch-ups, celebrations, and everyday moments”.

He joins the quick-service restaurant brand after holding senior people leadership roles across consumer, e-commerce, media, and multinational businesses in Asia. Michael Sirikul (pictured above) has joined KFC Thailand as its new Head of People & Culture. Sharing the news on LinkedIn, Sirikul said he was excited to join “an iconic brand with an incredible presence in Thailand” and to work with the team on a people and culture agenda that supports both employees and the business.

"Those moments remind me why I love HR — it gives us the chance to influence decisions, create opportunities, and make work a little better every day," she reflects. For Maria Margarita “Marge” Yao (pictured above), great days in HR are not defined by the absence of challenges. They are the days when difficult conversations create clarity, leaders see situations from a new perspective, and employees leave feeling more confident about what comes next.

She calls on organisations to rethink how they build talent, from knowing when to buy, build, borrow, bot, or bounce to creating the conditions for people to grow into future leadership roles. The best lessons are not always found in a classroom. Yen Do (pictured above) believes people learn best through real work, particularly when they are given diverse assignments, trusted to stretch beyond their comfort zone,s and supported when challenges arise.

The proposed allocation also addresses support for gig and agricultural workers and access to labour justice. The Philippines’ Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has proposed a PHP47.057bn budget for FY2027, with job creation, workforce readiness, and worker protection among its key priorities. Francis N. Tolentino, Labor Secretary led DOLE officials in presenting the proposed allocation before the House of Representatives. The budget briefing was presided over by Rommel T.

Singapore's Acting Minister for Manpower shared her candid advice on juggling different roles and managing time, in a chat with Lim Him Chuan, Country Head, DBS Singapore.

Five European destinations made the global top 10, alongside Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and St Kitts Nevis. Among 192 countries and territories assessed in the Rumavi Global Relocation Index 2026, Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Hong Kong have all secured places in the global top 10 relocation destinations. Singapore led the Asian rankings, placing second globally, followed by Malaysia (3rd), Taiwan (5th), and Hong Kong (7th).

The leading barrier was a mismatch between candidate expectations and job requirements, cited by 43%. Singapore employers are finding that hiring the right people is becoming more complex, even as many organisations turn to technology, refine candidate targeting and take a more selective approach to workforce planning. The latest ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey, released on 8 September, shows that employers are not necessarily hiring at a faster pace in Q4 2026.