20/4-25/4 Hong Kong HR Trends & Workplace Insights – Weekly HR Newsletter 每週人力資源新聞速覽
🎧 Prefer to listen? Tune in to this week’s MixCare Weekly podcast for a quick audio rundown of the top HR news and insights. 🎧
As global tensions escalate and economic uncertainties persist, the role of HR is evolving faster than ever. In this week’s MixCare Weekly, we spotlight five pivotal developments that are shaping the future of work — not just in Hong Kong, but globally. From China’s aggressive push toward tech self-reliance with Huawei’s new AI chip, to the changing value of job hopping, each story offers key insights for HR leaders navigating a shifting talent landscape.
Dive in to explore what these changes mean for workforce planning, recruitment, and employee retention strategies in the months ahead.
Huawei to Mass Produce New AI Chip
1-Minute Summary: Huawei is set to begin mass production of its new AI chip, the Ascend 910C, as early as May 2025. This move is in response to China’s search for alternatives to NVIDIA’s AI chips, spurred by potential U.S. export restrictions. The Ascend 910C, comparable to NVIDIA’s H100, is produced using SMIC’s N+2 7nm process. This development aims to bolster China’s domestic technology capabilities amid ongoing trade tensions.
Key Points:
- Response to US Restrictions: Huawei’s move to produce the new AI chip is partly driven by US export restrictions on competitor chips.
- Chip Capabilities: The new Ascend 910C chip is designed to be comparable in performance to NVIDIA’s H100, a high-performance AI chip.
- Self-Reliance Push: The development signals China’s broader push for self-reliance in critical technologies, reducing dependence on foreign suppliers.
Impact on HR: This development will intensify the demand for AI talent in Hong Kong’s technology sector. HR departments will need to enhance their recruitment strategies to attract engineers and researchers with expertise in AI chip design and related fields. They will also need to focus on talent development and offer competitive packages to retain these highly skilled professionals.
Student Absenteeism Rises in Hong Kong Post-Pandemic
1-Minute Summary: Hong Kong is experiencing a significant increase in student absenteeism, affecting more than 5,500 pupils post-pandemic. Schools are reporting a worrying trend of students not attending classes, with this phenomenon having increased drastically since the COVID-19 pandemic. The underlying causes of this rise in absenteeism are currently under investigation, and there are growing concerns about the potential long-term impact on the affected students’ education and overall well-being.
Key Points:
- Post-Pandemic Increase: Student absenteeism has increased significantly in Hong Kong following the COVID-19 pandemic, presenting a new challenge for schools.
- Significant Numbers: Over 5,500 students are affected by the rising absenteeism rates, indicating a widespread issue within the education system.
- Long-Term Impact Concerns: There are concerns about the potential long-term consequences of this absenteeism on students’ academic progress and development.
Impact on HR: This trend has implications for the future of Hong Kong’s workforce. HR professionals may need to address the long-term effects of increased absenteeism by focusing on employee development and training initiatives to bridge potential skills gaps. They may also need to consider the impact of this trend on future talent acquisition and workforce planning strategies.
Source Link: https://www.wionews.com/videos/absenteeism-crisis-affects-more-than-5500-pupils-in-hong-kong-post-pandemic-8970254
US and India Advance Trade Deal Amid Tariff Tensions
1-Minute Summary: The United States and India are making progress in trade negotiations despite ongoing tariff tensions. Both nations aim to establish a balanced trade agreement that strengthens supply chain connections, expands trade, and safeguards their respective domestic industries. This development occurs as the U.S. imposes new tariffs on imports from India. The ongoing discussions seek to resolve trade imbalances and enhance economic cooperation between the two countries.
Key Points:
- Trade Negotiations Progress: The U.S. and India are actively engaged in negotiations to reach a trade deal, indicating a commitment to strengthen economic ties.
- Balanced Agreement Goal: Both countries are focused on creating a balanced agreement that promotes trade while protecting their domestic industries.
- Tariff Tension Context: These negotiations are taking place amidst existing tariff tensions, highlighting the complexity of the trade relationship.
Impact on HR: Changes in US-India trade policies could impact Hong Kong businesses involved in international trade. HR departments in these companies will need to stay informed about tariff changes and potential disruptions to supply chains. This may require adjustments to workforce planning, talent acquisition strategies, and potentially managing workforce relocations or restructuring.
Facebook Data Provides New Insights into Global Migration
1-Minute Summary: A new report leverages Facebook data to analyze global migration patterns, offering unique insights into how people move around the world. This analysis helps researchers understand the factors that drive migration and its impact on societies and economies. The use of social media data provides new tools and perspectives for studying human mobility and demographic shifts.
Key Points:
- Novel Data Source: The report uses Facebook data to gain new perspectives on global migration, showcasing an innovative approach to migration research.
- Understanding Migration Drivers: Researchers are utilizing this data to identify the key factors that influence people to migrate, enhancing our knowledge of migration dynamics.
- Societal and Economic Impact: The analysis aims to understand how global migration affects both societies and economies, providing valuable insights for policymakers and organizations.
Impact on HR: This report’s insights are relevant to Hong Kong’s HR landscape, given the city’s status as a global hub. HR departments will need to understand how global migration trends impact the local workforce, influencing diversity and inclusion initiatives, talent acquisition strategies, and workforce planning. They may also need to develop policies to support employees relocating to or from Hong Kong.
Source Link: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/04/17/opinion/global-migration-facebook-data.html
Job Hopping’s Pay Bump Diminishing
1-Minute Summary: Recent data indicates that job hopping may no longer guarantee a significant increase in pay. The traditional pay gap between those who switch jobs and those who stay in their positions has narrowed considerably. While job switchers once experienced substantial salary increases, this trend is declining, particularly in sectors like technology. Many employees are now receiving promotions without corresponding pay raises, signaling a shift in the labor market and how companies are compensating their employees.
Key Points:
- Narrowing Pay Gap: The difference in pay raises between job switchers and job stayers has decreased, indicating a change in compensation trends.
- Decline in Tech: The trend is particularly noticeable in the technology sector, where job hopping previously led to significant pay increases.
- “Dry Promotions”: Many employees are receiving promotions without pay increases, suggesting that companies are managing costs by adjusting compensation practices.
Impact on HR: This trend will affect HR practices in Hong Kong. As job hopping becomes less lucrative, HR departments will need to shift their focus from attracting external talent to retaining and developing internal staff. They may need to revise compensation strategies, emphasize non-monetary benefits, and create clear career progression paths to maintain employee satisfaction and reduce turnover.
Source Link: https://ca.finance.yahoo.com/news/job-hopping-quick-path-better-120000937.html
📰 HR in Focus: A Smarter Way to Support Employee Well-Being
As job hopping loses its pay appeal and post-pandemic stressors persist, companies are rethinking how to truly engage and retain talent. Traditional benefits are no longer enough — employees want flexibility, relevance, and care that fits their lifestyle.
That’s where MixCare’s HealthCoin and Wellness Marketplace come in.
Empower your team with a flexible budget they can use across a wide range of wellness services — from mental health support to fitness, nutrition, and more. With MixCare, every employee can choose what well-being means to them.
💡 Stay competitive, boost morale, and show your team you care — all without blowing your budget.
Want to stay on top of the latest HR trends, policy developments, and corporate response strategies every week? Subscribe to the MixCare Weekly now — each week, we curate the five most important news stories in the industry to help you stay ahead in a rapidly changing market.