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Recent Editions
Human Times
North America
Google, Microsoft and Apple are advising some employees on U.S. work visas to avoid international travel due to delays of up to a year for visa stamping appointments at embassies. Immigration law firms representing the companies said the delays stem from new social media screening requirements, and warn that staff risk being stranded outside the U.S. if appointments are postponed. "While in the past the emphasis may have been on processing cases quickly and reducing wait times, our embassies and consulates around the world, including in India, are now prioritizing thoroughly vetting each visa case above all else," a spokesperson for the Department of State told Business Insider.
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Human Times
UK
Labour Together, a think tank linked to Sir Keir Starmer, is advocating for significant changes to the Employment Rights Bill. A leaked paper criticises the bill as a "safety blanket" that hinders economic progress. It proposes scrapping 80% of the bill and replacing it with higher taxes to fund unemployment insurance for laid-off workers. The paper argues that flexibility in the labour market is essential for economic growth, saying: "Easy firing means easy hiring, which benefits both firms and workers." The proposals are likely to create divisions within the Labour Party. Responding to the leak, a Labour Together spokesman said: "Labour Together totally supports this week's Employment Rights Act. This paper was a provocation for private discussion about how to build a political economy centred on technological change and innovation."
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Human Times
Europe
Between 2015 and 2022, increased Chinese exports led to the loss of 240,000 industrial jobs in the EU, according to the Chemical Industry Federation of Finland. The federation warns that further job losses are likely, particularly in high-value sectors such as automotive and chemicals. Chief economist Sampo Pehkonen said China's industrial dominance stems from its state-support policies, contrasting with the EU's lower corporate subsidies. The federation is urging the EU to improve industry conditions to protect remaining jobs, emphasising the need to avoid additional regulations and tax increases that could hinder production.
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Human Times
Middle East
Starting January 1, 2026, Saudi Arabia will require employers to pay domestic workers' salaries exclusively through approved channels, according to an announcement from the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development. The Musaned platform will facilitate these electronic payments, ensuring secure and reliable wage transfers. The policy aims to enhance wage rights for domestic workers and improve transparency in employment contracts. Employers must adhere to the agreed salary terms, with payments made at the end of each Hijri month. Workers can withdraw cash through approved channels if desired.
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