Across the region, the most vulnerable roles were in administration, office support, sales, healthcare, manufacturing, and logistics, according to a study conducted by SEEK, the parent company of Jobstreet and Jobsdb

These jobs typically attract a large number of applicants, making it easier for scammers to target potential victims.

Entry-level roles with immediate employment promises create a wide pool of potential victims, said Tom Rhind, SEEK’s head of trust and safety. 

Rhind noted that scammers can use these positions to craft convincing offers that appear legitimate.”

Fraudsters are exploiting popular communication channels like Viber, SMS, and social media , often impersonating recruiters or even platforms like SEEK and Jobstreet.

Experts also warn that scammers are increasingly using AI tools to generate fake job ads and recruiter profiles, making fraud harder to detect.

The findings underscore a growing risk for job seekers across Asia-Pacific, a fast-moving digital job market, where even experienced candidates may fall prey to sophisticated scams.

The list includes firms in construction, health, water , energy, transport, manufacturing, and trade.

The notice, dated 13 June , says another 169 companies could face the same fate within three months unless someone objects.

Kenyan law allows the Registrar of Companies to dissolve businesses that fail to file annual returns, operate without licenses, or become insolvent.

Once removed, companies must apply through the High Court or registrar to be restored. They must also prove they were still active at the time of being struck off and that six years have not passed since the closure.

The latest move comes shortly after another notice on 5 June confirmed the dissolution of Caltex House Service Station Limited, a multinational oil and motor company with more than 165 service stations across Kenya.

The firm had operated for over 75 years and employed thousands of Kenyans.

The government says the process will help clean up the business registry.

Between October 1, 2024, and June 13, 2025, authorities inspected over 31,000 foreign workers, revealing widespread violations:

Thailand classifies certain occupations as entirely or conditionally restricted to safeguard its workforce , but according to the ministry’s spokesperson, Phumipat Mueanchan, many employers bypass legal channels, and enforcement has been lax in some regions.

The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) estimates 3.9 million migrant workers are legally employed in Thailand, and the country remains a major destination for regional labour.

Thai authorities are under increasing pressure to balance economic reliance on foreign workers with the protection of domestic jobs amid slowing growth and rising automation.

The Labour Ministry has vowed to step up inspections and penalise violators, including employers, while urging businesses to comply with regulations and seek formal permits when hiring foreign staff.

The move will reduce the number of provinces and cities from 63 to just 34, leading to a loss of jobs for almost 80,000 government workers.

This is one of the biggest reforms in Vietnam since the country was founded in 1945. The government says it wants to move from being slow and bureaucratic to serving people more actively.

The vote passed easily in the National Assembly, which is controlled by the Communist Party as only one person voted against the plan.

Some officials who have worked for the government for decades have expressed grief over the possible loss of their jobs, even though they will receive compensation.

The names of many provinces will also disappear after the changes.

All new provincial leaders will be announced on June 30, and the new system will start in July.

Meanwhile, Vietnam is also planning to change the constitution so that the district level of government is removed. That means the country will only have two levels of administration, instead of three: provinces and communes.

"I think that over time we will see that the Chinese tariffs are unsustainable for China," Bessent said . He noted that if tariffs are maintained, it could lead to significant job losses, up to 10 million.

However, a reduction in tariffs might still result in around 5 million jobs being affected. Bessent emphasised the trade imbalance, reminding that the U.S. imports far more Chinese goods than it exports in return.

"They sell almost five times more goods to us than we sell to them. So the onus will be on them to take off these tariffs. They're unsustainable for them," he added. This presents a challenging situation for Chinese policymakers as they weigh the economic fallout of the tariffs.

The backdrop to these comments dates back to President Trump's announcement in early April, when he instituted broad tariffs targeting several countries. His administration accused these nations of unfair trade practices. Just days later, tariffs on Chinese products rose sharply to 145%, while reciprocal tariffs for other countries were scaled back temporarily to 10%.

Bessent also hinted at an emerging trade deal with India and potential agreements with other Asian nations, indicating proactive steps in diplomacy. "They have been the most forthcoming in terms of doing the deals," he remarked. This follows Vice President JD Vance's earlier discussions with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which appeared promising for future economic cooperation.

Following Vance's visit to India, a statement released noted significant progress made towards a trade agreement that addresses both nations' economic goals.

The UN trade and development agency, UNCTAD, said AI is expanding quickly and will be worth $4.8 trillion by 2033, about the same size as Germany’s economy today.

In 2023, advanced technologies like AI, 5G, and blockchain made up a $2.5 trillion market. That number is expected to rise six times in the next ten years, with AI leading the way.

The report said that while AI can help economies grow, it could also make inequality worse . Most AI research and development is happening in just a few countries, mainly the United States and China. A small group of 100 companies is responsible for nearly half of the money spent on AI research.

UNCTAD chief Rebeca Grynspan called for global action to make sure AI benefits everyone.

“History has shown that while technology helps economies grow, it does not automatically create fair opportunities for all,” she said.

The agency urged countries to invest in digital infrastructure and AI education to keep up with the fast-changing world .

It further suggested strong international cooperation to make sure AI is used in a way that helps people, not just businesses.

The memo said most USAID workers will lose their jobs on either July 1 or September 2, 2025.

The memo told affected staff, "Because your position is being abolished, you will be separated from the Foreign Service."

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said USAID had lost focus and become wasteful. He added that the US would still fund essential, lifesaving programs, including HIV treatment through PEPFAR.

The closure has greatly impacted Kenya, where over 41,000 health workers lost their jobs. Many of them cared for people with HIV and tuberculosis.

The layoffs have also left many Kenyans without proper healthcare.

Before the shutdown, USAID supported clinics in Kenya that provided HIV testing, treatment, and counselling. These services have now been moved to government hospitals, and the specialised clinics have closed.

The Washington Post reported that USAID staff were asked to leave their offices by 1 p.m. on the day of the announcement.

The US State Department said 5,200 of USAID’s global programs would be cancelled to save money. The remaining 17% of programs will be managed by the State Department.

Elon Musk, who was appointed by President Trump to lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), supported the decision. He accused USAID of misusing public funds , including on secret projects.

Two top USAID security officers were suspended after stopping DOGE members from entering restricted areas.

While the US Government hasn’t directly funded HIV-specific programs in Uzbekistan, critical initiatives in civic space, human rights, education, and advocacy have relied heavily on US support. According to UNAIDS , with these programmes now closed, organisations working on HIV-related legal reforms, anti-discrimination, and rights-based healthcare access face greater challenges in pushing for policy change. UN agencies are seeking new funding sources to sustain key initiatives, engaging with embassies, the EU, and the Uzbek government to fill the gap left by US funding.

Uzbekistan ranks among the top military powers in Central Asia

According to Global Firepower’s 2025 ranking, Uzbekistan ranks 58th with a Power Index score of 1.1121 (lower scores indicate stronger military power). The country fields 192 aircraft, including 58 combat jets, 13 attack aircraft, 101 helicopters, and 34 attack helicopters. Uzbekistan holds the second-strongest military in Central Asia, following Kazakhstan (57th). Turkmenistan ranked 77th, Kyrgyzstan 105th, and Tajikistan 108th.

715,000 people to get access to drinking water for the first time this year

This year, Uzbekistan plans to build 1,619 km of water pipelines, 521 km of sewer networks, and renovate 162 infrastructure facilities, providing clean drinking water to 715,000 people and sewage access to 135,000 households. Additionally, 157,000 consumers will receive modern water meters. At a meeting chaired by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, emphasis was placed on boosting private partnerships and local firms’ participation in international tenders, Gazeta reports. The president also approved simplified procedures with international financial institutions and called for fast-tracking $850 million worth of projects by year-end.

Uzbekistan and Qatar strengthen economic and parliamentary ties

On March 19, 2025, Senate Chair Tanzila Narbaeva met with Qatar’s Ambassador Hasan Hamza Asad Muhammad Hashim to discuss strengthening Uzbek-Qatari ties. The meeting focused on expanding cooperation in political, trade, economic, and investment sectors while emphasizing the importance of inter-parliamentary relations as a key pillar of bilateral partnership, as reported by The Pinnacle Gazette .

Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan discuss expanding air travel

Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan are exploring new air travel routes to boost tourism and business ties, according to the Kyrgyz Trade Representation in Uzbekistan. The initiative was discussed during a meeting between Aero Nomad Airlines and Uzbek tour operators. TTW reports that CEO Timur Aralbaev presented the airline’s capabilities, with both sides expressing strong interest in expanding flight options to meet growing demand and enhance regional connectivity.

This achievement comes from the latest AI Preparedness Index published by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which evaluates countries based on their readiness to adopt and integrate AI technologies across various sectors.

The IMF's index assesses AI readiness across four critical dimensions: digital infrastructure, human capital and labour market policies , innovation and economic integration, and regulation.

In March 2024, the South African Department of Communications and Digital Technologies announced a national AI plan which acknowledged the importance of AI in Africa.

"AI has the potential to deliver more benefits to humanity than any new technology in the last century. This AI benefit is also matched by great global and human potential harms," part of the report reads.

The IMF report, however, shared that AI could endanger 33 percent of jobs in developed countries.

“Our research has already shown how AI is poised to reshape the global economy. It could endanger 33 percent of jobs in advanced economies, 24 percent in emerging economies, and 18 percent in low-income countries,” the IMF said.

On the other hand, the IMF advised that the loss of jobs could be overturned when policymakers engage and invest in extensive AI training for workers.

“For policymakers, those in advanced economies should expand social safety nets, invest in training workers, and prioritise AI innovation and integration. Coordinating with one another globally, these countries also should strengthen regulation to protect people from potential risks and abuses and build trust in AI,” the IMF added.