HR consultancy field sees consolidations
Singapore - The HR consultancy field is now seeing a consolidation of businesses, with Towers Perrin and Watson Wyatt recently announcing plans to merge. Meanwhile, Hewitt Associates adopts a one-market operating model in Southeast Asia.

For more, see http://www.humanresourcesonline.net/news/13724

Tripartite Advisory on workplace measures to tackle Ifluenza A (H1N1-2009)
The Tripartite Advisory on Workplace Measures to Tackle Influenza A (H1N1-2009) was issued on 30 April 09 to slow down the spread of the Influenza A (H1N1-2009), and minimise the impact on businesses and workers.

For more, see http://www.news.gov.sg/public/sgpc/en/media_releases/agencies/mom/press_release/P-20090626-1.html

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To cut or not to cut? Are there alternatives to cutting staff?

Dalit driver tonsured for missing work in Kerala
In a shocking incident, a Dalit was thrashed and his hair and moustache partly clipped by his employer in Thrissur, 75 km north of Kochi.

For more, see http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?sectionName=IndiaSectionPage&id=43b2779a-6ffd-4343-ab92-c7aa04dedd82&Headline=Dalit+driver+tonsured+for+missing+work+in+Kerala

Japan, China gear up for industrial makeover
ASIA'S two biggest industrial power houses - China and Japan - are facing a need for extensive industrial restructuring and downsizing to counter the impact of what some analysts say is likely to be a permanent downturn in demand for consumer exports to the US and other advanced economies.

For more, see http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/sub/news/story/0,4574,338522,00.html?

Arab City project set to create 850 jobs for locals
MALACCA: The Arab City project in Pulau Melaka is expected to offer between 800 and 850 job opportunities to locals by next March.

For more, see http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Monday/National/2588493/Article/index_html

Foreign law firms pose challenge for locals
(SINGAPORE) The six foreign law firms granted licences to practise Singapore law - the biggest liberalisation so far of the traditionally protected industry - have quietly started operations here ahead of the July deadline. But their entry couldn't have come at a worst time for local law firms which, like many of their clients, are reeling from the global recession.

For more, see http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/sub/news/story/0,4574,338523,00.html?

Corporate restructuring keeps audit, law firms busy
(SINGAPORE) Corporate restructuring experts are busy for good reasons in bad times, as more distressed companies restructure to preserve their business, protect suppliers and keep creditors at bay.

For more, see http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/sub/news/story/0,4574,338527,00.html?

PM Lee urges citizens to do their best to get through downturn together
SINGAPORE : Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has called on Singaporeans to do their best to work through the economic downturn together, as a society and country.

For more, see http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/437502/1/.html

Study shows minorities face job discrimination in Australia
SYDNEY: Job seekers in Australia face a tougher time finding work if they have non-English sounding names, with Chinese and Middle Eastern applicants facing the worst discrimination, a study has found.

For more, see http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_asiapacific_business/view/436783/1/.html

There's a silver lining to cost cutting
IF you have noticed longer queues at the office coffee machine in the mornings, you're not alone. Worldwide, corporations have more employees on office premises than perhaps ever before, with business travel cut back or suspended due to the economic downturn.

For more, see http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/sub/bizit/story/0,4574,337657,00.html?

Using the carrot to motivate while paying peanuts
There's a new trend sweeping the business world. It's so in vogue right now. It's called budget trimming, or if you're a little risqué, budget butchering. This is when you tantalise your bottom line by dropping your excess baggage.

For more, see http://smallbusiness.smh.com.au/managing/management/using-the-carrot-to-motivate-while-paying-peanuts-618228570.html

Survey shows S'pore managers put health, work-life balance over career
SINGAPORE: A local survey shows that Singapore managers are a pragmatic lot, with over 80 per cent polled viewing good health, work-life balance and passion for work as more important than career advancement and higher salary.

For more, see http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/436895/1/.html

Survey shows business sentiment up, more expats moving to S'pore
SINGAPORE : A recent survey by the American Chamber of Commerce shows over 40 per cent of companies polled are optimistic of an economic turnaround by the end of the year. This is up from just a third of respondents at the end of 2008.

For more, see http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/436912/1/.html

Economic hopes rise as jobless rate steadies
The unemployment rate stayed at 5.3 percent from March to last month, bucking forecasts it would increase and raising hopes the recession-hit economy might be stabilizing.

For more, see http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=15113&icid=3&d_str=20090618

5.38pc pay cut for all top officials, civil servants
Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen said that he and top government ministers will take a pay cut of more than 5 percent as part of the city's belt-tightening during the economic downturn.

For more, see http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=15111&icid=3&d_str=20090618

Don’t let GLCs retrench staff, says MTUC
PETALING JAYA: Government-linked companies (GLCs) should not use the economic slowdown as an excuse to retrench workers or cut their salaries.

For more, see http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/6/18/nation/4138980&sec=nation

DPM: Health declaration mandatory for visitors to Malaysia (Update)
KUALA LUMPUR: It will soon be mandatory for visitors entering Malaysia at all entry points to fill up a health declaration form, said Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

For more, see http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/6/18/nation/20090618111517&sec=nation

Good corporate governance
A SURVEY of 130 listed firms in Singapore shows that good corporate governance practices are alive and well here.

For more, see http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_391608.html

Entrepreneurial S'poreans
AND the entrepreneurial spirit of Singaporeans lives on. A recent survey has shown that despite the global economic downturn, Singaporeans are still relatively willing to take career risks compared with other markets.

For more, see http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_391592.html

High gear hiring at IRs
EVEN as the Marina Bay hotel tower blocks and Sentosa roller-coaster tracks take shape, the human resources departments of the two integrated resorts have swung into high gear.

For more, see http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_391450.html

Singapore's total population grew to 4.84m in 2008, up 5.5% over previous year
SINGAPORE : Singapore continues to face the long-term challenge of low fertility and an ageing population, according to its latest population report.

For more, see http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/436581/1/.html

Thrift is back in vogue
Patrick Gallagher's eyes are shining with excitement. He's just been made redundant and can't wait to start up his own business in online sports and entertainment marketing.

For more, see http://www.smh.com.au/news/business/money/planning/thrift-is-back-in-vogue/2009/06/01/1243708407902.html

Singapore most liveable city in S-E Asia: Survey
LONDON: Singapore is among the four most liveable cities in Asia - after Osaka, Tokyo and Hong Kong - and ranks 54th worldwide, according to the latest assessment of 140 cities by the Economist Intelligence Unit.

For more, see http://www.straitstimes.com/Asia/South-east%2BAsia/Story/STIStory_388191.html

More eye jobs in civil service
THE number of top students bound for university who are eyeing civil service careers went up in the past year.

For more, see http://www.straitstimes.com/Singapore/Story/STIStory_388230.html

Long weekends galore in 2010
GOOD news for holidaymakers. Singaporeans will enjoy the same number of long weekends next year as they do this year.

For more, see http://www.straitstimes.com/Singapore/Story/STIStory_388221.html

'Active ageing' project wants people in 50s
LAST year, office worker Chew Kwi Yang, 58, said she would sit at home in her free time and 'worry about money or health'.

For more, see http://www.straitstimes.com/Singapore/Story/STIStory_388217.html?sunwMethod=GET

Bread and butter issues top concerns in feedback to REACH
SINGAPORE: Bread and butter issues continue to top Singaporeans' list of concerns.

For more, see http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/434860/1/.html

Asians mostly unfazed by downturn
ASIANS are fairly resilient and optimistic amid the economic downturn, a survey by Canadian insurer Sun Life Financial has found.

For more, see http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/sub/views/story/0,4574,336985,00.html?

GSK sets up endowment fund
PHARMACEUTICALS giant GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) is bearish about the global economic outlook in the short term - but its chief executive Andrew Witty sees great potential in Asia.

For more, see http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/sub/news/story/0,4574,336974,00.html?