A smoggy day in Beijing. Executives with families are often unwilling to put their children's health at risk for a job. AFP/NICOLAS ASFOURI Health concerns are putting off those initially attracted by Asia's growing economic opportunities, experts warn, so firms are struggling to recruit - and retain - people with the expertise they need. According to the United Nations Environment Programme, some 92 per cent of people in the Asia-Pacific region are exposed to levels of air pollution that pose a significant risk to health. This means that on top of large salaries, businesses are having to offer extra incentives. These include paying for smog breaks every few months, or allowing non-traditional working arrangements so people can commute from less polluted areas, says Lee Quane, Asia director for consultancy ECA International. At "a location with a higher level of pollution, you're likely to see us recommend allowances of anywhere between 10 to 20 per cent of the person's base … [Read more...] about Asia”s pollution exodus: Firms struggle to woo top talent
Talented recruit and hire
BAT: where employees can learn, grow and contribute
BAT has a strategy for developing human resources and how to become a good employer. British American Tobacco (BAT) recently received the annual Top Employers international prize from the Top Employers Institute, which recognises leading employers around the world who are striving to provide the best working environment for employees through progressive human resource practices. The company’s general manager, Jean Jacques Walravens, and head of HR, Dao Le Duyen, speak about BAT’s strategy for developing human resources and how to become a good employer. General Manager Jean Jacques Walravens. General Manager Jean Jacques Walravens Your company has received the Top Employers award for the first time. To what do you attribute this prestigious award? This was the first time we participated in the prize and had to go through a pre-selection process. The Top Employers Institute, which does the certification, decides on whether you can participate and then based on a … [Read more...] about BAT: where employees can learn, grow and contribute
Technology’s working: Overseas Vietnamese talent drawn by Industry 4.0 demands
For the past 10 to 15 years, leading companies like Intel, IBM, Samsung Display, Nokia, and Microsoft have chosen Vietnam for software outsourcing. However, software developers in Vietnam had no idea about the products they were working on, such as their final use and who they were being made for. Therefore, this work did not add much value to the local industry. However, it laid the foundation for Vietnam’s IT industry to grow steadily and emerge as a regional tech hub. Some even dubbed it the Silicon Valley of Asia, with automation, artificial intelligence (AI), deep learning, and machine learning reaching deep into Vietnamese society. IT is now one of the hottest industries in Vietnam. Thanks to new government policies to attract more IT businesses, many start-up companies from America, Europe and Australia, and some from neighbouring countries such as Singapore have set up software development centres in Vietnam. This has led to a significant increase in demand for … [Read more...] about Technology’s working: Overseas Vietnamese talent drawn by Industry 4.0 demands
Survey: retail and financial firms most eager to hire in Vietnam
A recent salary survey by Talentnet shows that the retail, banking, and insurance sectors are the most likely to increase their headcount to support business expansions in 2019. Talentnet & Mercer announced its survey to 600 companies in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City With positive outlooks and ambitious plans ahead, 80 per cent of retail and financial firms in Vietnam are busy recruiting new staff members. According to the Talentnet & Mercer Salary Survey 2018, these industries are ranked among the top potential recruiters this year and the next. “Business conditions in Vietnam are very good in 2018 and 2019, with national GDP forecasted as high as 6.9 per cent. In general, most businesses in Vietnam will expend their business this year and next year,” said Hoa Nguyen, senior director of Human Capital Solutions Service. Salary is expected to increase at both foreign and domestic companies The results by Talentnet & Mercer are in line with another … [Read more...] about Survey: retail and financial firms most eager to hire in Vietnam
How Vietnamese firms can keep international talent
Most Asian companies, including those doing business in Viet Nam, believe it is becoming increasingly difficult to recruit international talent though 40 per cent (75 per cent in Viet Nam) plan to increase their international headcount in the next 12 months, according to a new report. “How to attract and retain the right talent to grow your business internationally,” by London-based professional recruitment firm Robert Walters said the greatest challenges are due to the high salaries expected by applicants despite lacking the skills required. Adrien Bizouard, country manager, Robert Walters Viet Nam, said: “With this report, targeted at Asian companies looking to internationalise, we hope this serves as a strategic roadmap on how to equip Vietnamese businesses with the talent they need.” In Viet Nam, when asked “What are the top three reasons for leaving their previous Asian companies,” 57 per cent of the respondents indicated low transparency in … [Read more...] about How Vietnamese firms can keep international talent