Asia First - Thu 3 Jul 2025
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CNA
2 hours ago
- CNA
Louis Vuitton Korea says systems breach led to customer data leak
SEOUL :A systems breach at Louis Vuitton Korea in June led to the leak of some of customer data including contact information, but did not involve customers' financial information, the luxury brand's South Korea unit said on Friday. "We regret to inform that an unauthorized third party temporarily accessed our system resulting in the leak of some customer information," the unit said in a statement. The company became aware of the breach on Wednesday and had notified government authorities, the statement said.
CNA
2 hours ago
- CNA
Indonesia offers to buy US aircraft, wheat in tariff negotiations
JAKARTA: Indonesia will offer to step up purchases of aircraft by state carrier Garuda Indonesia and wheat by instant noodle giant Indofood, in tariff talks with the United States, its chief economics minister told Reuters. Airlangga Hartarto, who is also the Southeast Asian nation's lead negotiator, said the government has also offered near-zero tariffs on key American exports, including agriculture products, which he said pay tariffs of between 0 per cent and 5 per cent. Jakarta is facing a 32 per cent tariff in US markets. It previously said it would sign a US$34 billion pact with US partners next week, which includes commitments to buy more US goods as well as investment by Indonesian companies in the United States. "It will be near zero (tariffs for US main exports), but it will depend as well on how much the tariffs we get from US," Airlangga said. Garuda's CEO has said it is in discussions with US Boeing to buy up to 75 units of aircraft. Garuda and Indofood group did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The US goods trade deficit with Indonesia was US$17.9 billion in 2024, according to the US Trade Representative. US exports to Indonesia include soybeans, petroleum gases and aircraft, Indonesian government data showed. When asked whether the trade talks include military deals, Airlangga said they were "not part of the negotiation". Susiwijono Moegiarso, a senior official with Indonesia's Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, told Reuters that in return, Jakarta has asked the United States for preferential tariffs on its main exports, including electronics, textiles and footwear. "We want them to lower the tariffs (for those goods) as low as possible," he added.
CNA
2 hours ago
- CNA
Trilateral workgroup to address issue of foreigners illegally doing delivery jobs
SINGAPORE: A trilateral workgroup is being formed to address the issue of foreigners performing delivery jobs illegally, the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) said on Friday (Jul 4). "Urgent action" is needed as this creates unfair competition for delivery workers, and it has a direct impact on their earnings, NTUC said. The workgroup will involve Grab Singapore, the Ministry of Manpower and the Ministry of Transport, who will work with NTUC and its affiliated associations. Following the Platform Workers Act being passed in September 2024, NTUC and its affiliated platform work associations have continued to advocate for platform workers on a variety of platforms, the union said. Issues raised include concerns about certainty in platform workers' earnings, safety concerns, as well as competition from illegal hitch service providers, NTUC said. It noted that it has received feedback that some delivery jobs are being performed by foreigners illegally. 'Some of these foreigners illegally take on delivery jobs directly on platforms by misusing accounts,' NTUC said. It also noted reports of some foreigners performing delivery jobs illegally without work permits. 'This creates illegal or unfair competition for our delivery workers, and it has a direct impact on their earnings.' Concerns about the illegal use of delivery accounts have been raised previously. In 2023, CNA found multiple listings on online marketplace Carousell advertising Deliveroo and foodpanda rider accounts for sale. Platform work can only be undertaken by Singaporeans, the union said on Friday. Platform operators can outsource delivery jobs to companies who hire foreigners, but these foreign workers will need have work permits. The issue of illegal competition comes on top of other challenges that platform workers already face, NTUC said. For example, platform workers may face issues related to income stability and assurance. These platform workers can be subjected to incentive schemes that encourage longer working hours, which can lead to safety issues, NTUC said. The type of jobs allocated to them on platform apps is also uncertain, which lead to a lack of clarity on their earnings. This can cause them to grapple with a lack of income security, the union said. It also noted the issue of illegal hitch services, such as unauthorised ride-hailing services operating through messaging apps like Telegram which directly impact workers' earnings. 'These illegal services undercut legitimate platform workers' job opportunities, creating unfair competition that affects workers' ability to earn sustainable earnings,' NTUC said. NTUC Secretary-General Ng Chee Meng said that platform workers are vulnerable as they face a variety of challenges in making a living. 'It is not right that they suffer from reduced earnings due to competition from illegal workers,' Mr Ng said. 'That is why I am calling for a trilateral workgroup to address this issue and other challenges that our platform workers face. Our platform workers must be treated fairly as they make an honest living.'
