Latest news with #labourunion
South China Morning Post
6 days ago
- Climate
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong urged to clarify ‘extreme conditions' criteria after record rainfall
The Hong Kong government is under mounting pressure to clarify circumstances that warrant an 'extreme conditions' announcement to prevent residents from commuting to work during hazardous weather, a day after record-breaking downpours wreaked havoc across the city. Advertisement Some lawmakers and labour union leaders called for further clarification on Wednesday after some residents expressed confusion as to whether they should have headed to work during the torrential downpours. The highest-level black rainstorm warning was in effect for more than 11 hours on Tuesday, as the poor weather triggered flash floods and landslides. The government said the declaration of 'extreme conditions' would be considered when a natural disaster brought about extreme and widespread impacts. It gave the examples of large-scale power outages, widespread flooding, severe landslides and serious disruption to public transport services. 'The government will consider making an 'extreme conditions' announcement based on the actual conditions and those affecting the effective resumption of work by residents, the extent and scale of the disruption,' a government spokesman said on Wednesday. Advertisement '[This is] to allow general employees to remain in safe places after the cancellation of the No 8 tropical cyclone warning signal or the black rainstorm warning signal, rather than immediately returning to workplaces.'
BBC News
02-08-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
NLC reject policy wey wan stop workers from going on strike in Nigeria
Di labour union for Nigeria wey be di Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) don criticise di National Industrial Relations Policy (NIRP) wey Nigeria govment recently adopt. Nigeria govment on Thursday afta di Federal Executive Council, FEC, meeting bin tok say dem don adopt a new policy wey go control di way unions dey go on strike. Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, na im announce di decision afta di FEC meeting on Thursday. Oga Mohammed Idris explain say di NIRP go guide trade unions, employers, and govment agencies. E go also promote beta tok-tok wey dey in line wit labour practices for Nigeria wey go also meet international standards. "Di policy na major step forward to address di long-standing gaps for how we dey manage labour relations for Nigeria," But NLC say di main aim of dis newly adopted policy na to stop di workers from going on strike, especially strikes by trade unions, as pipo dey always criticise govment for dis strikes. For statement wey di NLC President, Joe Ajaero sign, di labour union say e shock dem say out of di hundreds of workplace issues wey dey inside di National Industrial Relations Policy, di federal govment only pick out di industrial strikes sake of say na dat one dey give dem headache. "Di unfortunate press statement don expose di mindset of di pipo wey we elect to protect di interests of di ordinary citizen, including workers. NLC also para on how govment use strong-arm tactics to overturn popular decisions through a process of tripartism (three parties wia goment, employers through dia representative and workers agree on sometin) through di process of social dialogue. " NLC tok say wen dem bin dey develop di National Industrial Relations Policy for Nigeria, govment bin wan put some clauses for di policy wey go make strike actions criminal. Di statement add say di trade unions, di employers and even di representatives of govment bin reject am sake of say e no follow di 1999 Constitution and di Trade Unions Act wey give trade unions di power to withdraw dia services in line wit di law. "Di right of a worker and trade unions to withdraw dia services dey fundamental and dem no go fit remove am. Why govment remember dis policy According to NLC, di policy dey since and e cover plenti labour issues for Nigeria but govment remember to pick and adopt only di part wey relate to strike. Nigeria govment adopt am for di FEC meeting on Thursday afta di National Union of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives bin start a seven-day warning strike on Wednesday. Nigeria govment bin announce say di nurses and midwives don suspend dia strike on Friday, but di nurses deny suspension of strike, afta FG tok am. Di nurses begin strike afta dem give 15-days ultimatum to Nigeria govment.
The Sun
24-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
Luxury car brand's CEO warns weak EV demand ‘hitting us hard' with thousands set to lose their jobs
LUXURY car maker Porsche is feeling the squeeze - with their CEO warning staff of job cuts in the near future. The German giant is currently trying to navigate a significant crisis that affects its business model, workforce and financial performance. 4 4 According to Fortune, the firm is planning to cut over 3,900 jobs in Germany by 2029 and is in the process of negotiating further reductions with its labour union - in response to an ever-changing market. This comes as the car maker - famous for the 911, as well as the Cayenne and Macan - is preparing themselves for a drop in annual car sales with their current forecast reading 250,000 units to be sold, compared to 311,000 sold last year. One key issue is their demand in China, a key market for Porsche, which has seen sales plummet by 28% in the first half of the year. This is largely down to a price war in the EV sector, with Porsche - which has two all-electric cars in its range, the Taycan and the Macan Electric - previously anticipating that 80% of its sales would come from EVs by 2030. 'Business conditions have deteriorated massively within a short period of time" Oliver Blume, Porsche This target is now considered unrealistic, largely due to slower adoption rates. EVs, while necessary to meet CO2 regulations, generate lower profit margins compared to combustion engine cars, something the firm's decision-makers are identifying as a major concern. Chief executive Oliver Blume, said: 'Our business model that sustained us over many decades no longer is functioning today in its current form. 'Business conditions have deteriorated massively within a short period of time.' On EVs, he added: 'On the one hand we need EVs to fulfil regional CO2 regulations, but on the other the profit margins are far below those of our combustion engine cars.' Another issue is the current climate in the US, with Porsche facing challenges from a weaker dollar and President Donald Trump's tariffs - which are impacting its profitability. Inside Dua Lipa's one-off 184mph Porsche 911 GT3 RS set to raise £100,000s for charity Furthermore, Porsche's operating margin is forecast to drop significantly - from 14.1% to between 6.5% and 8.5% - which means in the worst-case scenario, their margins could fall to as low as 7%. They have also seen a decline in their share value, with prices falling by 29% this year. Worse still, investors who bought stocks during its 2022 public offering - when Porsche was seen as the world's third most valuable carmaker after Tesla and Toyota - have since seen losses of nearly 50%. Amid the turmoil, the marque is restructuring its leadership team, appointing four new executives to handle critical areas such as finances, marketing, personnel and procurement. TOTAL RECALL Another recent issue for Porsche is related to the Taycan. In May, the company mysteriously told its retailers to stop selling a specific batch of the electric sports car, following a request from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) which manages motor recalls in the UK. The problem reportedly relates to a previous recall issued in November by the DVSA which said it could pose a fire risk. According to the DSVA, the reason for that recall was: "A short circuit within the battery modules during the vehicle's service life cannot be ruled out under certain circumstances which could lead to thermal events and later to a fire in the vehicle." New software that will detect the problem and display a warning to the vehicle owner if it occurs has since been made available. Porsche GB said in a statement: "Enhanced battery monitoring software is anticipated to become available for first generation Taycan models towards the end of June. "With its imminent arrival, we've advised our retail partners not to sell a small, specific batch of first generation Taycan models until the software update is live." One Porsche dealer said: "Unfortunately Porsche and the DVSA haven't put a definitive timeframe on approved Taycans so at the minute we're now having to remove all Taycans from sale for the foreseeable future. "Porsche head office have sent out a bulletin to say we need to remove them from sale and not deliver any until further notice." Both Porsche GB and the DVSA have previously issued 12 safety recalls on various Taycan models. This includes recalls to replace brake hoses, address problem with welding and suspension components and replacing cell blocks in the high voltage battery. 4 4
CNA
03-07-2025
- Business
- CNA
Japanese firms agree biggest pay hikes in 34 years, top union group's final tally shows
TOKYO :Japanese companies logged their biggest wage hikes in three decades this year, the nation's largest labour union group said. The final tally of annual labour talk results showed Japanese companies have agreed to raise pay by 5.25 per cent this year, the biggest pay hike in 34 years, the 7 million member-strong group Rengo said on Thursday. The robust wage growth follows an average increase of 5.10 per cent last year and 3.58 per cent the year before, suggesting that solid salary growth is becoming the new norm in a country where wages were stagnant for decades.
CTV News
27-06-2025
- Business
- CTV News
250 CN Tower workers could go on strike before Canada Day as contract talks stall
The CN Tower is pictured in Toronto, Wednesday, June 26, 2019. The CN Tower opened 43 years ago today THE CANADIAN PRESS/Colin Perkel More than 200 CN Tower workers could begin job action as soon as Monday, which could disrupt operations on Canada Day. In a statement on Friday, Unifor, which represents the 250 full-time and part-time workers at Toronto's iconic landmark, said negotiations had reached a standstill. The deadline to reach a deal and avoid a strike or lockout is at 12:01 a.m. on Monday. 'We've hit an impasse and time is running out,' said Shan Ramanathan, president of Unifor Local 4271. 'Our members want a fair deal. We're ready to bargain, but the company needs to return to the table with a serious commitment to reaching an agreement.' According to the union, the lack of pension improvements and the need for fair wage increases are among the key issues at the bargaining table. Union members include hosts, waitstaff, bartenders, chefs, cooks, and butchers. A spokesperson for the CN Tower said in a statement that it presented its best offer on Thursday, but the union 'chose not to respond.' Both sides have been in talks since April. The spokesperson noted that in the event of a labour disruption, the tower's observation levels, EdgeWalk, and the shop would remain open, but food and beverages would be unavailable. 'We remain hopeful that a labour disruption can be avoided through respectful and reasonable negotiation,' the statement read. The CN Tower is owned by Canada Lands Company, a Crown corporation.
