Latest news with #manpowershortage
Free Malaysia Today
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Taiwanese lawmakers approve higher military pay
Under the amendment, volunteer service members would receive an additional monthly allowance of US$1,000. (AFP pic) TAIPEI : Taiwan's opposition-controlled parliament approved today a pay increase for military service members, in a bid to address a manpower shortage and retain soldiers in the face of Chinese military pressure. China claims Taiwan is part of its territory and has not ruled out using force to bring the self-ruled island under its control. The main opposition Kuomintang (KMT) party and Taiwan People's Party passed amendments to an armed forces pay act granting volunteer service members an additional monthly allowance of US$1,000. The law previously did not specify the exact amount for allowances. It is on top of increases announced by president Lai Ching-te in March. 'The armed forces are facing new types of operational needs… allowances should be increased to reflect the sharp rise in unit duties and training frequency,' the KMT said in the document outlining the proposed changes. 'By significantly raising allowances and adding an adjustment mechanism, the aim is to improve recruitment incentives and retain outstanding talent.' Other changes passed by lawmakers today were for conscripts to receive no less than the minimum wage, additional pay for combat units and overtime. Premier Cho Jung-tai, who belongs to the ruling Democratic Progressive Party, said the government would challenge the amendments after the cabinet was not consulted as required by the budget act.
South China Morning Post
30-05-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Age limit for non-local skilled workers seeking jobs in Hong Kong raised from 35 to 40
The age limit for non-local skilled workers seeking employment in Hong Kong has been raised from 35 to 40 years old, the labour chief has revealed, saying the change was made after extensive consultation and will attract the necessary talent to address the city's manpower shortage in technical fields. Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun Yuk-han confirmed the change on a radio show on Friday, adding that details of the new scheme were being finalised and would be released soon. 'Setting it at 40 years old is more ideal. We expect that if they come at 40, they can work until 65, meaning at least 25 years of contribution to Hong Kong's economy,' he said, identifying sectors such as lift maintenance, electrical technicians and enrolled nurses in care homes as key areas for recruitment. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu's policy address last October projected a labour shortage of around 180,000 workers across various sectors in the next five years, and he vowed to reform various aspects of the city's talent admission regime, including providing new channels for skilled and experienced workers within specific trades facing 'acute' manpower shortages to come to Hong Kong. The labour chief explained that the initial proposal for a 35-year age limit was revised after extensive consultation, with the new age range of 18 to 40 deemed more effective in attracting suitable technical talent to meet Hong Kong's labour needs. He noted that the global trend of ageing populations meant that the definition of 'young' was also evolving, influencing Hong Kong's approach to talent acquisition.
South China Morning Post
11-05-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Why Japan's coastguard has a recruitment problem
The Japanese coastguard continues to experience a manpower shortage as its ability to safeguard the country's sovereignty over disputed islands could be affected by the exit of hundreds of its staff. Advertisement A total of 389 people voluntarily resigned from the coastguard in 2024, according to a report in the Yomiuri newspaper, bringing its staff strength down to 14,123 as of the end of the financial year on March 31. The personnel who left were six fewer compared with the same period a year earlier, partly due to an aggressive recruitment campaign. But there are concerns that more may leave the service this year. Since 2013, the coastguard has been seeking to recruit more people to counter a rise in intrusions by Chinese vessels into waters around the Diaoyu Islands in the East China Sea. The islands are presently controlled by Japan , which refers to them as the Senkaku archipelago. 'The coastguard is facing a similar challenge to the Self-Defence Forces, although there are some differences,' said Garren Mulloy, a professor of international relations at Daito Bunka University and a specialist in military issues. Advertisement 'One of the most fundamental problems for the coastguard is that by its nature, personnel are away from friends and family for extended periods, which makes it less appealing as a career choice,' he told This Week in Asia.
