Human Times

European Edition

4th December 2025

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THE HOT STORY

Thyssenkrupp restructuring deal will cost several hundred million euros

Marie Jaroni, Thyssenkrupp's steel division chief, has told the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung newspaper that a restructuring deal that will cut or outsource about 11,000 jobs will cost the company several hundred million euros. "The restructuring is costing us a mid-three-figure million euro sum. The exact amount depends on how many employees accept which offer," Jaroni told FAZ. She said the deal will pay off because the company will have permanently lower personnel costs - "a low three-digit million amount less annually than today."

Reuters

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STRATEGY

Glencore slashes about 1,000 roles under new operational structure

Swiss mining company Glencore has slashed 1,000 jobs as it cuts costs and streamlines operations amid plans to become the “biggest copper producer in the world,” according to CEO Gary Nagle.

WORKFORCE

Young UK workers shift towards skilled trades

Reuters reports on how 'hands-on' jobs such as construction and plumbing are gaining appeal among young British workers at a time when white-collar roles are viewed as more vulnerable to disruption by AI and automation than manual labour. In Britain, one in six employers expects the use of AI tools to allow them to reduce their headcount in the next 12 months, according to a recent survey conducted by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. "There's a lot of anxiety among young people right now that their jobs are [being] automated away," observes Bouke Klein Teeselink, a lecturer and AI researcher at King's College, London.

Reuters

Half of Dutch adults worry about their financial security

Nearly half of adults in the Netherlands worry about their financial security, according to the 2025 ING Savings Survey. About 18% have less than €500 saved, although 34% have at least €10,000 saved. The national budgeting institute, Nibud, recommends €9,000 for singles and €12,400 for families, but many fall short. The survey's findings come as concerns about unexpected expenses and job losses are rising. “The many temptations to spend money and the ease of doing so make saving for yourself extra important," observed Japke Kaastra, Head of Financial Health at ING Netherlands. "So: ‘Pay yourself first,' before your money disappears on things you may not really need.”

NL Times

LEGAL

Slovak government dismantles whistleblower office

Slovakia's parliament has taken initial steps to dismantle the Whistleblower Protection Office (UOO), replacing it with a new agency aimed at protecting crime victims and whistleblowers. Prime Minister Robert Fico's government argues that the UOO has been politically misused and the new office will better serve those "who rightfully need protection." However, critics, including opposition parties and anti-corruption groups, warn the move undermines anti-corruption measures and could lead to political interference. Zuzana Dlugosova, chair of the UOO, will see her mandate end prematurely due to the transition. The European Union's public prosecutor office has expressed concerns that weakening protections "seriously limits detection, reporting and investigation, particularly of corruption." A final vote on the proposal could occur this week.

U.S. News

Foodora employees sue the company

Forty-two former Foodora riders are suing the company, claiming they were misclassified as freelancers instead of employees. The claimed misclassification is said to have denied them paid holiday, a right under Danish labour law. Foodora closed its Danish operations in 2024.

Copenhagen Post

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, & INCLUSION

Greece sees surge in female maritime employment

Greece's female maritime workforce has surged in number, with registered female seafarers increasing from 1,237 in 2020 to 2,048 in 2024, a rise of 65.6%. Women now represent 7.8% of Greece's total seafaring workforce, surpassing international averages. The proportion of female cadets also grew to 11.8% in 2024.

GreekCitytimes

TECHNOLOGY

WhatsApp faces possible Russia ban

Russia's state communications regulator, Roskomnadzor, has threatened to completely block WhatsApp unless it complies with local laws aimed at combating crime and terrorism. The regulator accused WhatsApp, owned by Meta Platforms, of failing to share necessary information with law enforcement after previously limiting some calls on the platform. In response, WhatsApp has claimed that the Russian government is attempting to restrict access to secure communications, while authorities promote a state-backed app called MAX, which critics speculate could track users.

Reuters

INTERNATIONAL

Starbucks settles NYC labour law violation claims

Starbucks has agreed to pay approximately $35m to over 15,000 New York City workers as part of a settlement addressing claims of unstable schedules and arbitrary hour reductions. The company will also incur $3.4m in civil penalties under the agreement with the city's Department of Consumer and Worker Protection. The settlement ensures compliance with the city's Fair Workweek law, and underscores the importance of stable working conditions. Starbucks said in a statement that the law was “notoriously challenging for businesses to navigate.” The company said that the violations were “about compliance” and “not about withholding wages or failing to pay partners.”

The Baltimore Sun

New York Times

Reuters

More Japanese are opposed to actively accepting foreign workers

A recent survey by The Yomiuri Shimbun and Waseda University's Institute for Advanced Social Sciences found that 60% of Japanese respondents opposed the active acceptance of foreign workers, a rise from 46% in 2024. Concerns about public safety and cultural differences were prevalent, with 68% fearing safety deterioration. Interestingly, older respondents were more supportive of foreign workers, with 61% acknowledging their role in alleviating labour shortages. Additionally, 70% prioritised national interests over international cooperation, reflecting a growing trend of nationalism, particularly among younger voters.

Straits Times

Western Australia to bring in new laws to protect retail workers

Western Australia plans to introduce retail barring orders to protect workers from violence and threatening behaviour. Premier Roger Cook said: "No-one deserves to come to work and to be assaulted, abused, mistreated." The proposed legislation aims to allow employers and unions to apply for bans against offenders, even without a criminal prosecution. Recent data from the Australian Retailers Association shows serious incidents in WA have risen by 36% since July last year, with threatening behaviour increasing by 48%. Violating a barring order could lead to a maximum five years' imprisonment.

West Australian

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