THE HOT STORY

New UK agency to tackle abuse of labour market rules

The UK's Fair Work Agency (FWA), which launches today, brings together several existing labour enforcement bodies and its responsibilities will include policing the minimum wage, holiday pay and modern slavery. The agency's incoming chair, Matthew Taylor, recently listed the five priorities the Department of Business and Trade had laid out for the FWA in its first year - including “thought leadership” and “reducing regulatory burdens.” The Guardian reports that trade unions say that, rather than reducing regulation, a more robust approach and greater funding for inspections is needed. Sharon Graham, the general secretary of Unite, said the priorities showed the agency was “in danger of being a dead duck before it even begins . . . For too long, workers have borne the brunt of disreputable employers who have had carte blanche . . . The government needs to urgently ensure that the FWA focuses its attention on bringing rogue bosses to heel rather than seeking ways to allow dodgy companies to continue bad behaviour.” The FWA is a cornerstone of Labour’s Employment Rights Act - sweeping reforms of workers’ rights that are set to take effect over the next two years.

Financial Times

The Guardian

The Times

WORKFORCE

Netherlands increases disability premium despite €39bn surplus

The Dutch government is under fire after announcing further increases to the disability insurance premium - which finances disability benefits such as WIA payments. - while the fund it supports holds a surplus of about €39bn. Employers, municipalities and trade unions warn the measure is being used to cover unrelated budget gaps. A spokesperson for the Vereniging Nederlandse Gemeenten said the rising premium is out of step with the fund's financial position. “It is raising eyebrows among us and other large employers. The balance has been significantly out of line since 2020,” the spokesperson said.

NL Times

LEGAL

PM defends new workers' rights in UK

UK prime minister Sir Keir Starmer has launched a robust defence of new workers' rights which came into force on Monday, criticising business figures and "vested interests" opposing the changes. The Prime Minister described the measures, including the lifting of the two-child benefit cap and the introduction of statutory sick pay from day one, as the most significant enhancement of workers' rights in a generation. “At every stage, we faced those same voices of opposition,” the prime minister wrote of the measures, which had been met with resistance from some business leaders. “They warned of costs, of disruptions, and said the time was not right. But once again, we made a different choice. We chose working people,” said Starmer. Under the Employment Rights Act 2025, statutory sick pay becomes a right from day one of becoming ill and workers will become entitled to paternity and unpaid parental leave from the first day of employment.

The Guardian

Germany's government faces pressure to toughen laws ⁠against ⁠digital violence

Germany's government is under pressure to bolster laws against digital violence after actor Collien Fernandes accused her ex-husband, Christian Ulmen, of creating AI-generated pornographic deepfakes of her. Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig has announced plans for a bill to criminalise the production of such content, with penalties of up to two years in prison. Hubig emphasised the need for accountability from online platforms, saying: "Digital violence must not be a business model." Fernandes is pursuing legal action in Spain, citing stronger protections for women's rights in that country when compared to Germany.

U.S. News

REMUNERATION

KLM chief's pay rises 32% amid cost-cutting measures and job cuts

KLM CEO Marjan Rintel saw her pay increase by nearly 32% in 2025, reaching just under €1.6m, as the airline implemented cost-saving measures. While her base salary remained at €600,000, bonuses surged due to the performance of Air France-KLM's market value. KLM's "Back on Track" programme aims to enhance profitability but includes job cuts, with 250 positions set to be eliminated. The FNV union and Finance Minister Eelco Heinen criticised the pay rise, calling it "highly inappropriate" given the pressures on KLM staff. Rintel has been granted a second four-year term to lead the carrier's restructuring.

NL Times

INTERNATIONAL

Indian trade unions observe 'Black Day' against Labour Codes

Workers across India on Wednesday last week observed a ‘Black Day’ to protest against the Union Government’s four controversial Labour Codes. Workers wore black badges and headbands, saying that the new legislation would push the workforce back into a colonial-era state of exploitation. The demonstrations were helmed by a united front of major unions, including the Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC), All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS), and Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU). “These labour codes are designed to push the workforce into conditions akin to slavery. They contravene the spirit of the Indian Constitution, International Labour Standards, and basic human rights,” the joint platform of ten central trade unions stated.

The Pioneer

The Times of India

Tribune India

Singapore to monitor employment levels as it launches AI programme

Singapore's government is launching the National AI Impact Programme (NAIIP) to train 10,000 workers in AI skills. Minister for Digital Development and Information Josephine Teo said that although there is no single metric to evaluate the success of the initiative, the government would continue to monitor whether employment rates stay high. “Ultimately, what people want is an assurance that they will still be able to do meaningful work,” she said. “Over time, we also want to make sure that Singapore continues to provide good opportunities for people to advance - and advancement must certainly involve wage levels . . . We will be looking at these broader indicators of whether as a whole, the economy is still able to create and sustain good jobs, and that individuals that are part of the workforce continue to be able to make progress.”

Straits Times

Trump bars firms with pro-diversity policies from government contracts

US President Donald Trump has issued an executive order prohibiting federal contractors from implementing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies. The order, effective in 30 days, is indicative of Trump's ongoing opposition to DEI measures, which he claims hinder job opportunities for capable Americans. He said: "My Administration has made significant progress in ending racial discrimination in American society." Contractors must now include a clause in their bids affirming they will not engage in any racially discriminatory DEI activities. This latest move follows previous actions to dismantle diversity programs within federal agencies.

Barron's

Daily Mail

Cambodia adopts scam centre law

Cambodia's lawmakers have unanimously passed new legislation aimed at combating proliferating online scam operations which have turned the country into a global cybercrime hub. Justice Minister Keut Rith said: "These crimes threaten public security and significantly damage Cambodia's global reputation." The legislation introduces severe penalties, including life imprisonment for serious offences, and is part of a broader government initiative to shut down scam centres by the end of April. Since July, authorities have targeted 250 suspected locations, shutting down 200 and launching 79 legal cases against nearly 700 individuals involved. However, experts such as Jacob Sims, a visiting fellow at Harvard University's Asia Center, have expressed scepticism, noting that previous crackdowns often failed due to the persistence of financial networks that support these operations. The law awaits Senate review and final approval by King Norodom Sihamoni.

U.S. News

OTHER

2026 World Cup risks becoming ‘stage for repression’

Amnesty International has raised concerns that the upcoming World Cup in the US, Canada, and Mexico may become a "stage for repression." In its report, called "Humanity Must Win", the organisation urged FIFA and the host nations to take immediate action to safeguard the rights of fans and players. Amnesty highlighted the US's "human rights emergency" under the Trump administration, citing issues including mass deportations and aggressive ICE operations. Steve Cockburn, Amnesty's head of economic and social justice, said: "While FIFA generates record revenues from the 2026 World Cup, fans, communities, players, journalists and workers cannot be made to pay the price . . . It is these people - not governments, sponsors or FIFA - to whom football belongs, and their rights must be at the centre of the tournament."

France 24

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