Prabowo pointed to Pakistan’s response to similar pressures, including pay cuts for officials, remote working arrangements and delays to non-essential spending, as a model for Indonesia.

The proposal has since drawn support from several parties within the governing coalition. The Golkar Party, which holds a significant share of cabinet posts, said it was prepared to comply.

“If the country requires it, Golkar is ready for its members serving in the cabinet and the legislature to have their salaries cut,” secretary-general Muhammad Sarmuji said, describing the move as a signal of the government ’s “willingness to adapt.”

The National Mandate Party (PAN) also backed the plan. Deputy chair Eddy Soeparno said the party would “stand at the forefront” of efforts to ensure public acceptance if the policy is implemented.

Even the opposition Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) has not objected, though it stressed that any cuts should begin at the highest levels of government. Lawmaker Andreas Hugo Pareira said savings “should start with the top, from the President and Vice President down.”

Several cabinet members have echoed that stance. Human Rights Minister Natalius Pigai said he would accept a pay cut “even if I don’t receive a salary… for the greater good,” while Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa confirmed the government was reviewing the proposal’s details.

Panama City Mayor Mayer Mizrachi proposed prioritising Bitcoin payments for Panama Canal transit fees at the Bitcoin 2025 conference. The canal, handling 5% of global trade, earned $5 billion from nearly 10,000 transits in fiscal 2024, despite drought-related caps. Mizrachi believes Bitcoin could streamline payments and attract tech-driven logistics firms, citing Panama’s current acceptance of Bitcoin for taxes. He’s seeking to expand this to canal fees without legislative approval, amid economic and geopolitical challenges. Former President Trump has called for regaining U.S. control of the canal, adding urgency to Panama’s modernisation efforts.

Chiquita Panama to lay off all workers as management exits

Chiquita Panama's management has left the country , and the company is seeking government approval to lay off remaining staff, the labour minister said. This follows the firing of 5,000 workers after a strike at a banana farm, which resulted in $75 million in losses. Thousands protested amid broader social issues, with President Mulino calling the strike illegal.

Panama denies involvement in enforcing Iran sanctions

Panama rejects claims by United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) CEO Mark D. Wallace that it fails to enforce sanction s. Through its Panama Maritime Authority (AMP), the country has de-flagged over 650 ships since 2019 to uphold international standards, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. Panama works closely with the U.S. government, sharing ship registry details to fight terrorism financing and illegal fishing. In 2019, Panama signed the Registry Information Sharing Compact with other maritime nations to notify members of ships involved in sanctionable activities. Recent actions include new ship-to-ship transfer rules and Executive Decree No. 512, empowering Panama to de-flag vessels linked to sanctions. So far, 214 ships and 12 million GT have been removed. Panama remains committed to international maritime conventions and continues its cooperation with the U.S.

Panama’s Bitcoin policy and global financial stability impact

Panama City Mayor Mayer Mizrachi proposed allowing Bitcoin payments for Panama Canal tolls, stirring excitement and concern. Supporters argue it would streamline payments , reduce banking fees, and attract tech companies, transforming Panama into a digital hub. They also see Bitcoin as a tool to modernise the canal’s competitiveness in global trade. Critics, however, warn of Bitcoin’s volatility—a sudden price drop could hurt Panama’s revenue, which supports key services. They also fear regulatory backlash from countries wary of crypto’s ties to evading traditional finance. The debate: Can Bitcoin enhance trade or will it destabilise Panama’s economy?

Panama removes 650+ ships amid sanctions, tougher rules

Panama’s Maritime Authority has removed over 650 ships from its registry since 2019 to comply with U.S. sanctions and enforce stricter rules. Since last year, 214 ships have been withdrawn under new measures allowing faster action against violators. Panama responded to UANI’s criticism, which accused Panama of facilitating Iran’s oil trade and undermining sanctions. Panama says it shares information with other flag countries and enforces rules against ships that evade tracking.

Approved by parliament on May 27, the law is being described as one of the most important changes to Tunisia’s employment system in recent years.

It aims to protect workers from unstable job conditions and improve their rights at work.

Under the new law, permanent contracts will become the standard for most jobs, according to local reports .

Fixed-term contracts will only be allowed in special cases, such as covering for an absent employee or seasonal work.

If these conditions are not met, fixed contracts will automatically be turned into permanent ones.

Subcontracting of labour, a common but often criticised practice, has also been banned.

This means workers who were previously hired through subcontracting firms will now be given permanent roles with the companies they were working for.

Employees whose temporary contracts were ended between March and the date the new law takes effect will either be offered permanent jobs or given compensation based on how long they worked.

The law also introduces stricter health and safety rules at the workplace, with heavier penalties for companies that fail to follow them.

For the first time, remote work will be officially regulated, giving both employers and workers clear rules to follow.

Trade unions have since welcomed the reform and said it marks a step toward fairer and more stable working conditions in Tunisia.

They have also urged the government to make sure the new rules are enforced across the country.

In Kakamega, the strike has lasted four weeks. Marsabit and Kiambu joined recently, adding to the pressure on the health system.

Vulnerable groups such as pregnant women, children , and people with chronic illnesses have been hit the hardest.

The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU), which represents the doctors, says the strike is due to poor working conditions , delayed salaries, and unfair transfers.

The union also warns of growing mental health problems among doctors, who face heavy workloads and little support.

Some have left their jobs, while others struggle with burnout and depression.

In Kiambu County, the situation is especially severe, local reports say.

The union says some doctors have gone months without regular pay, and hospitals that used to have 17 doctors are now operating with just two.

Others are being moved from one hospital to another without proper notice or compensation. In some cases, transfer orders were sent informally via WhatsApp.

The union says these disruptions have hurt both doctors and their families, as many are forced to move their homes and switch their children’s schools with little warning.

Doctors who want to pursue further training are also being blocked, with plans for specialised care, such as neonatal units are now on hold.

At least 10 doctors in Kiambu have resigned this year.

Others have been stuck in the same job position for up to eight years, with no promotions or pay raises.

Confusion over leadership roles has added to the frustration, with unauthorised staff reportedly taking on supervisory duties.

The union is also accusing Kiambu County of failing to send union dues amounting to 7 million Kenyan shillings ($54,158) for the past eight months.

Under the proposed system , employees would receive at least 1.5 times their regular hourly wage for the first two hours of overtime each day.

Any overtime beyond that would be paid at no less than double the standard rate.

The bill is designed to protect workers’ rights, encourage higher productivity, and improve earnings for employees across the country.

Lawmakers say the move will also simplify how overtime is managed in both public and private workplaces.

The proposed reform also forms part of broader efforts by the government to modernise labour laws and strengthen economic growth by creating fairer conditions for workers.

Two leading unions, the Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) and the Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ), say morale is very low.

Many teachers are either resigning early or walking away from their jobs altogether, local reports say.

Science subjects such as Mathematics, Chemistry and ICT are among the worst affected, leaving critical gaps in classrooms across the country.

The PTUZ says delays in processing retirement benefits have worsened the situation, with some teachers reportedly dying before receiving their pensions.

The union also accuses the government of pushing through changes without consulting educators, creating a system where teachers feel disrespected and demoralised.

Union leaders say political interference has also made the situation worse.

Teachers have been suspended for refusing to follow political instructions, and schools are sometimes forced to send pupils to political events.

This, they say, has turned learning spaces into politically charged environments that are unsafe and unprofessional.

Some teachers have started small businesses or other ventures to survive.

ARTUZ says it now handles dozens of early retirement cases every month, as educators seek to escape what they call a "thankless" profession.

Union officials are calling on the government to urgently open talks to improve conditions and stop the talent drain.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education is yet to respond to the concerns.

He said the delays are affecting officers still listed under the old system, but assured MPs that the issue is being addressed.

Bahati, who was representing the Minister of Internal Affairs, said the two systems do not operate at the same time.

Salaries are first paid under HCMS, then on the older system. This process is aimed at avoiding double payments.

Some officers have also missed pay due to errors in their personal information.

The minister also said that problems with national IDs, names, and dates of birth caused some officers to be marked as "partially validated" during a recent audit.

In other cases, payments have bounced due to mismatches between the information in the bank and government records.

Bahati added that police deserters are also removed from the payroll, and delays happen when they return and face disciplinary action.

Since January 2025, 86 officers were listed as deserters, and 65 have since returned but are yet to be fully reinstated.

He also confirmed that 426 officers were retired in March 2024 due to conflicting birth dates in official records.

Of these, 104 have been cleared, 179 confirmed retired, and 143 cases are still being sorted out.

On a separate matter, Parliament heard that the issue of police lawyers seeking equal pay has been sent to the Attorney General for action.

This follows an August 2024 High Court ruling, which found that cutting the salaries of police legal officers was unlawful.

Justice Musa Ssekaana said the Ministry of Public Service acted outside the law by reducing their pay, and that it went against a 2010 directive by President Yoweri Museveni.

The President had ordered that police lawyers be paid the same as those in the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Attorney General’s office. The policy was introduced to stop government lawyers from quitting for better pay in the private sector.

The court ordered the government to pay all salary arrears owed to the affected police lawyers.

Despite the directive being implemented for years, in 2022, the Ministry of Public Service questioned the higher salaries and advised the Police to reverse earlier appointments.

This led the affected officers to take the matter to court .

Parliament now awaits guidance from the Attorney General on how the government will implement the court decision.

During a historic visit to Addis Ababa, Iranian police chief Brigadier General Ahmad Reza Radan signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Ethiopian counterpart Demelash Gebremichael to strengthen security and law enforcement cooperation, emphasising mutual commitment to addressing transnational challenges. 

Cholera outbreak impacts Amhara amid conflict

The Amhara region of Ethiopia faces a severe cholera outbreak, exacerbated by ongoing armed conflict. As reported by the Amhara Public Health Institute, 15 people have died and over 2,131 are infected, with healthcare facilities severely impacted. Health workers highlight the dire need for intervention as they struggle with contaminated water and dwindling resources amid persistent violence.

Holland Dairy launches premium cheese

Holland Dairy, Ethiopia’s leading dairy producer, has launched a high-quality cheese made from fresh, locally sourced milk, celebrating the event at Hyatt Regency with government and industry stakeholders. The initiative aims to enhance Ethiopia's dairy sector and supports over 4,000 local farmers, merging local ingredients with advanced Dutch technology. 

Ethiopian health workers demand wage increases

Ethiopian health workers are protesting for wage increases and better working conditions, highlighting a systemic crisis within the healthcare sector. With salaries insufficient to cover basic living costs, many healthcare professionals are considering migration for better opportunities, raising concerns over a potential brain drain that could further strain the healthcare system. 

Ethiopia central to African integration goals

Speaking at the COMESA Federation for Women in Business Trade Fair, Speaker Tagesse Chafo asserted Ethiopia's pivotal role in advocating for economic integration across Africa. The event promotes women's entrepreneurship and highlights Ethiopia's commitment to inclusive economic growth, coinciding with significant economic reforms aimed at fostering private sector development.

The current minimum salary, Sh370,000 ($140) will go up by 35.1 percent. President Samia said the new wage is a reward for the hard work of public servants and the country’s growing economy.

According to her, workers had stayed strong even during hard times, and now it was time for them to benefit.

“In recognition of your hard work and commitment to national development—even at a time when we asked you to tighten your belts—I am pleased to announce that the government will increase the minimum wage for public servants by 35.1 percent,” she was quoted by The Citizen .

Other workers who earn above the minimum wage will also get salary increases depending on how much money the government has in the budget.

The President said the government is also looking at pay in the private sector. She said the Ministry of Labour and trade unions should work together to help improve salaries for private workers through fair agreements.

She reminded Tanzanians that last year, the government could not raise wages because of economic problems, but a 5.5 percent growth in the economy has made this possible.

President Samia ended her speech by asking workers to protect peace in the country and take part in the general election set for October.

The doctors had demanded a fourfold salary increase, as many were earning just $170 a month.

They subsequently resigned from their private clinic jobs after government failed to heed their calls but continued working in public hospitals.

Following this, security forces began detaining them, accusing them of threatening national security .

A medical union says they were taken without arrest warrants and are being held in intelligence service cells.

A security official told Agence France-Presse that some patients may have died because the doctors left their jobs. The government has not officially commented, but a senior health ministry official confirmed the arrests.

Doctors now warn that if nothing changes, more could stop working. One doctor said the government should not be shocked if medical workers leave Burundi for better-paying jobs elsewhere.

The country has faced a shortage of doctors for years. During the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, more than 130 doctors left due to low salaries.

The average salary at the four major banks, 60.5 million won, exceeded Samsung Electronics' 54 million won ($41,000), SK Hynix's 52 million won ($39,000), and Hyundai Motor's 42 million won ($32,000)during the same period.

As reported by the Korea Herald , despite a 1 million won ($753) decrease in the average first-half salary at the four banks, major companies also saw slight declines or minimal increases. Last year, Samsung Electronics paid 51 million won ($38,000), SK Hynix 73 million won ($55,000), and Hyundai Motor 45 million won ($34,000).

Employees at financial holding companies earned more, averaging 89.25 million won in six months. Woori Financial Group led with 97 million won ($73,000), followed by Hana at 94 million won ($71,000), Shinhan at 86 million won ($65,000), and KB at 80 million won ($60,000.

Meanwhile, the gender wage gap was evident, with holding companies paying female employees about 32% less (around 31 million won) than males. Woori Financial Group had the largest disparity, with males earning nearly 70% more than females.

The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) -an organisation dedicated to establishing guidelines for businesses on reporting their decisions that affect society at large- has further announced its commitment to voluntarily align with the International Labour Organisation's (ILO) already existing labour rights policy, specifically the 'Tripartite Declaration of Principles concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy' from 2017.

This initiative aims to encourage corporations to support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) globally, with the target year set for 2030.

It is also expected that organisations will enhance their methods for setting salary frameworks, strive for equal representation across genders, and improve hiring practices. Employers are given a deadline of October 4 to make these decisions.

According to Emily Sims, Senior Specialist at ILO “This alignment contributes to business transparency concerning labour-related impacts, actions and performance; and helps companies to strengthen their contribution to SDG 8 on decent work and inclusive economic growth.”

The International Labour Organisation's World Employment and Social Outlook report in May 2024 indicates that women still face disparities in the workplace regarding access to opportunities and wage equality, often as a result of familial and caregiving duties.

"Gender disparities are evident in workforce participation, where women often face challenges in accessing equal opportunities in securing employment. Recent economic literature (Klaven, Landais and Leite-Mariante 2024; Kleven, Landais and Søgaard 2019) highlights that family responsibilities (i.e. marriage and parenthood) have a greater negative impact on women’s employment compared to men, exacerbating gender employment gaps," reads the report.

According to the Americas Society/Council of the Americas (AS/COA), since he began his six-year term in December 2018, Mexico’s President Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO) has been described as the “Teflon president,” due to his high popularity despite numerous scandals and controversial remarks. A quick review of popularity polls conducted by AS/COA shows that about two-thirds of Mexicans approve of AMLO and his administration. The current President outperforms three of his predecessors and matches the popularity levels of Ernesto Zedillo (1994-2000). About 55% of Mexicans think the country is on a good or very good path, and 52% think AMLO’s government has been successful. López Obrador remains very popular among people over 50 years old (69% approval rate).

Minimum wage increase

El Universal reports that on January 1, a 20% increase in minimum wages came into effect in Mexico. This means that workers with this income should be paid 248.93 pesos daily (about US$14.60). The Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare (STPS) plans to monitor compliance with the new increase through its annual inspection program, focusing on economic obligations. Workers not receiving the proper payment can report irregularities to the STPS. With this increase, the minimum wage will cover the National Council for the Evaluation of Social Development Policy's (Coneval) Poverty Line by 1.73 times.

420 massacres in 2023

According to CNN , an armed attack in the municipality of Cajeme, Sonora, in northwest Mexico, resulted in at least six dead and 26 injured, as reported by Mexican authorities on December 29th. The Sonora Prosecutor's Office stated that the attack occurred around 11:30 p.m. local time on Thursday when three armed individuals stormed "a gathering with several attendees". Gustavo Salas Sánchez, Sonora's prosecutor, mentioned that one of the six deceased had five arrest warrants for charges including homicide, femicide, illegal deprivation of liberty, and criminal association. Authorities suspected he might have been the target of the attack. Causa en Común , a human rights organization, registered over 420 massacres in Mexico in 2023. 

Indigenous communities' influence

Three decades after the Zapatista uprising, Mexico's indigenous communities have no place in the country's political or cultural landscapes, according to Raúl Romero, a sociologist interviewed by Revista Proceso . On January 1st, 1994 the Zapatista Army for National Liberation coordinated a 12-day uprising in the state of Chiapas, Mexico in protest of the enactment of the North American Free Trade Agreement. According to Romero, the Zapatista movement exposed the shortcomings of the Mexican cultural and political system, revealing the semi-colonial conditions in which indigenous communities lived. However, not much has changed since then, says Romero. While some elected officials come from indigenous communities, he laments that real autonomy is an illusion.

Businessman with ties to drug cartels arrested in Madrid

According to Revista Proceso , on December 31st, businessman Jonathan Alexis Weinberg Pinto was arrested in Madrid, accused of being a frontman and a key accomplice of Genaro García Luna, Mexico's former Security minister accused of taking bribes from a drug cartel. The Mexican Attorney General's Office (FGR) reported that Weinberg Pinto is now subject to extradition. Last year, the head of the Financial Intelligence Unit (UIF), Pablo Gómez, exposed the "corrupt network" that García Luna operated for 20 years and allowed him and his accomplices to acquire properties and luxury cars in the United States. Businessman Weinberg Pinto is accused of organized crime, money laundering, and embezzlement.