By comparison, workplace happiness levels stood at 57% in Australia, 56% in Singapore and 47% in Hong Kong.

The findings are based on an online survey conducted by research firm Nature between October and November 2025, involving around 1,000 Indonesian respondents aged 18 to 64.

Beyond general satisfaction, the report found that 86% of workers feel valued by their employers, while 75% say their work is fulfilling or meaningful.

Not just about salary

The survey indicates that workplace happiness in Indonesia is shaped largely by non-financial factors rather than salary alone.

The most frequently cited contributor was strong relationships with colleagues or teams, mentioned by 77% of respondents. Workers also highlighted convenient workplace locations (76%) and having meaningful work (75%) as major drivers of satisfaction.

Although wages remain important, only 54% of respondents said higher pay was their main aspiration, suggesting that salary is not the dominant factor behind workplace wellbeing.

According to Wisnu Dharmawan, acting managing director of Jobstreet by SEEK Indonesia, competitive wages may help attract workers, but long-term satisfaction depends on whether employees feel their work has purpose and whether they can maintain work–life balance.

Gen X is the happiest

The report also found variations in workplace happiness across demographic groups and industries.

Generation X recorded the highest satisfaction levels at 85%, followed by Millennials at 84%, while Generation Z reported the lowest score at 76%.

Industry also plays a role. The technology sector recorded the highest happiness level at 93%, reflecting strong workplace culture and career prospects.

Geographically, Greater Jakarta recorded the highest satisfaction at 87%, compared with 75% in western parts of Indonesia.

Burnout, job security concerns

Despite the high levels of reported happiness, workplace pressures remain present.

The survey found that 56% of workers experience heavy workloads, while 44% report stress and 43% say they have experienced burnout.

Around 40% of workers who described themselves as happy also reported feeling mentally exhausted, highlighting the complex relationship between job satisfaction and workplace demands.

Meanwhile 42% of respondents said they are concerned about job security due to the rise of artificial intelligence, particularly in the technology sector.

Broader reasons behind workforce satisfaction

Indonesia’s broader labour environment may also shape workplace conditions.

According to the International Labour Organization , the country has developed a comprehensive legal and institutional framework to combat forced labour and human trafficking, with laws and enforcement mechanisms that apply across different employment sectors.

The government is also moving to increase wages. Under a new wage-setting framework signed by President Prabowo Subianto, Indonesia’s minimum wage is expected to rise by around 5% to 7% in 2026.

In Jakarta, where the current minimum wage is about Rp5.4 million ($318) per month, the formula suggests a potential increase to around Rp5.68 million ($334) to Rp5.77 million ($339) in 2026, depending on economic growth data.

India has formally assumed the BRICS presidency for 2026, with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar unveiling the official website, theme and logo in New Delhi on Tuesday, January 13. Jaishankar said India’s chairship “will adopt a ‘humanity-first’ and ‘people-centric’ approach,” aimed at resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability. “Launched preparations for BRICS India 2026 with the unveiling of website, theme and logo,” he wrote on X, adding that the presidency would “seek to bring together the potential of the member countries of the grouping to promote greater global welfare.” Noting that BRICS will mark 20 years since its inception in 2026, Jaishankar said the bloc has evolved into a key platform for cooperation among emerging markets and developing economies. India took over the presidency from Brazil on January 1, marking its fourth turn at the helm, having last chaired the grouping in 2021 during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Labour reforms

Major delivery platforms Blinkit, Zepto, Zomato and Swiggy have begun moving away from their 10-minute delivery model following an intervention by Union Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya. The decision comes after gig workers staged a one-day strike on December 31, citing safety risks and health concerns linked to ultra-fast delivery timelines. Ministry sources said Blinkit has already removed the 10-minute delivery promise from its branding, with others expected to follow. A senior official said Mandaviya raised concerns with aggregators, urging them to stop the practice “considering the health and welfare of delivery workers,” a request the companies agreed to. Blinkit has since revised its tagline to “30,000+ products delivered at your doorstep.”

Army chief issues blunt warning to Pakistan

India’s Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi on Tuesday warned Pakistan that any future provocation would be met with a firm response, describing the counterterror Operation Sindoor as “ongoing.” Speaking at the Army Day press conference, he said , “At least 6 terror camps still active across the LoC & 2 across the International Border after Operation Sindoor against Pakistan. Will act, if any (nefarious) attempts are carried out.” Dwivedi said the operation was executed with precision, dismantling terror infrastructure and “resetting strategic assumptions.” He added that around 100 Pakistani personnel were killed during heightened tensions along the Line of Control and International Border, and acknowledged the coordinated role of intelligence agencies, civil authorities and multiple ministries in the operation.

India slips to third place in Russian fossil fuel imports

India fell to third place among importers of Russian fossil fuels in December 2025 after private and state-owned refiners sharply reduced crude purchases, according to the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA). India’s imports dropped to €2.3 billion in December from €3.3 billion in November, with Türkiye overtaking India as the second-largest buyer. China remained the top importer. CREA said crude oil made up 78 percent of India’s purchases, with coal and refined products accounting for the rest. The think tank noted that Reliance Industries halved its Russian imports in December, while state refiners cut purchases by 15 percent, amid tighter sanctions on major Russian producers Rosneft and Lukoil.

Trump’s Iran tariffs add to India’s trade worries

U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a 25 percent tariff on goods from countries “doing business” with Iran, a move that could further strain India’s trade outlook. “Any Country doing business with the Islamic Republic of Iran will pay a Tariff of 25% on any and all business being done with the United States of America,” Trump said , adding that the order was “final and conclusive.” India’s bilateral trade with Iran stood at $1.34 billion in the first 10 months of 2025, with exports including rice, tea, sugar and pharmaceuticals. The new tariffs come as India is already grappling with 50 percent U.S. levies linked to Russian oil purchases, with exporters warning that sectors such as textiles, gems and jewellery, leather and marine products could be hit hardest if the Iran tariffs are applied on top of existing duties.

It came amid rising concerns over India’s always-on corporate culture and its impact on health and productivity.

The bill was moved by Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) MP Supriya Sule, who argued that constant digital connectivity has blurred the line between professional and personal time. 

In a video message shared on X, she said the legislation aims to promote “a better quality of life and a healthier work-life balance by reducing burnout caused by today’s digital culture .”

At its core, the draft law states that employees should not be compelled to respond to any electronic communication from their employer once official hours have ended. The measure seeks to formalise boundaries that, according to Sule, have steadily eroded as remote working and smartphone-based office systems have become entrenched in many sectors.

The bill also proposes the creation of an Employees’ Welfare Authority, which would oversee implementation, ensure compliance, and advocate for workers’ digital rights. For employers who violate the rules, the draft outlines penalties, including a fine amounting to 1% of the total remuneration paid by the organisation. The intention, its author argues, is to incentivise companies to respect defined work limits.

Another key provision concerns unpaid labour. The bill stipulates that any employee required to work beyond official hours must receive overtime pay at the normal wage rate. This clause responds to widespread complaints that digital tools, though enabling flexibility, have fuelled a surge in uncompensated extra work in India’s knowledge-driven industries.

The proposal also includes softer measures, such as workplace counselling on healthy technology use and the establishment of digital detox centres designed to help workers reduce screen-time and rebuild personal relationships. These additions frame the bill not simply as a labour reform, but as a broader wellbeing intervention.

As a private member’s bill, the legislation faces long odds. In India’s parliamentary history , such bills are rarely enacted; most are either withdrawn after debate or lapse without a vote once the government responds. 

Nonetheless, Sule introduced two further private member’s bills the same day—one offering paid paternal leave and another seeking to grant platform-based gig workers minimum wages, regulated hours and social security protections.

India’s debate echoes international developments. Australia, for instance, passed its own Right to Disconnect law last year, allowing workers to decline after-hours calls and messages. 

That reform sharpened domestic scrutiny of workplace culture in India, particularly after the death of an EY employee in Pune reignited discussions about long working hours and the pressure to remain constantly reachable.

The results reflect a shift in public sentiment following July’s House of Councillors election, with growing concerns about social impact and security. 

When asked to choose from a list of possible effects of having more foreigners living in Japan, 68% said public safety would worsen, while 63% feared difficulties due to cultural and language differences. 

At the same time, however, 61% acknowledged a key benefit: that foreign workers could ease persistent labour shortages in an ageing society .

Younger Japanese appeared especially anxious about safety. Among respondents aged 18 to 39, almost eight in ten said they believed public security would deteriorate if more foreign nationals settled in Japan. That compares with 72% in the 40–59 age group and 59% among those aged 60 and above. 

Yet older people were also more likely to recognise the economic advantages of welcoming migrants: 67% of respondents over 60 said foreign workers help fill labour gaps, compared with 53% in the youngest group.

On the topic of national politics , dissatisfaction remains deep. A record 88% of respondents reported dissatisfaction with the current political situation. For the first time since tracking began in 2018, a majority, or 52%, said they favoured change over stability in national leadership.

Despite this rising discontent, the LDP remains the party most voters want to see in government , backed by 48% of respondents. It was followed by the Democratic Party for the People with 31%, and both the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan and the Japan Innovation Party at 25%.

The mail-in survey was conducted nationwide between September 24 and October 31, spanning the end of the Ishiba Cabinet and the start of the Takaichi administration.

The meeting lasted about three hours, according to the aides present, and was spent preparing for the budget meeting later that morning. In Takaichi’s own words, the meeting caused her staff “inconvenience” but was necessary to rework drafts of answers to lawmakers’ questions. 

Clarifying the circumstances behind the meeting, Takaichi added that her fax machine at home had malfunctioned, prompting her to stay at the prime minister’s residence and review the briefing materials there.

While 3 a.m. meetings are far from common, they are especially cautionary for people in Japan, where there have been several high-profile cases of deaths linked to overwork and unforgiving working conditions . 

It is so apparent that the Japanese have even coined specific terms for it: karoshi , meaning death from overwork, and karojisatsu , or suicide due to overwork and cruel working conditions.

A government survey in 2016 showed that 20 percent of the Japanese workforce is at risk of death from overwork. 

Of the companies surveyed, 22.7 percent reported employees clocking 80 hours of overtime each month. A fifth of employees averaged 49 or more hours each week, or nearly 10 hours across five working days.

What’s more daunting is the fact that Japan is not the only country in Asia notorious for its harsh working conditions. 

In China, the government is working to put a stop to the “996” culture, an illegal labour practice where employees have to work 72 hours a week, or from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. six days a week. 

Takaichi’s unusual meeting also drew the ire of a former Japanese premier, Yoshishiko Noda.

“It’s fine for her to work, but she should not be getting other people involved,” he said. “Everyone is in bed at that time of day. It’s a very sad attitude for the top leader of the country to show.”

Several political parties and civil society groups in Tunisia have publicly condemned what they describe as an “attack” on the headquarters of the Tunisian General Labour Union (UGTT). The incident has intensified existing tensions between the government and the country’s largest trade union, which has historically been a pillar of Tunisia’s social dialogue. The condemnation reflects growing concern over the government’s treatment of organised labour and its potential impact on Tunisia’s fragile political stability.

Political parties and organisations say they are fully supportive of Gabes' protests

Political and civic organisations have voiced strong support for ongoing protests in Gabes, a southern industrial city plagued by pollution and unemployment. Demonstrators have demanded urgent government intervention to address the environmental and economic crises in the region. The solidarity statements from political parties underline the national significance of the movement, as Gabes continues to symbolise broader frustrations over inequality and governance failures.

Parties and organisations denounce one-month suspension of ATFD activities

Women’s rights organisations and political parties have denounced the one-month suspension of the Tunisian Association of Democratic Women (ATFD). The suspension, ordered by authorities, has been criticised as part of a wider crackdown on civil society and gender rights activism. The ATFD, known for its decades-long advocacy for gender equality, has pledged to challenge the suspension and continue defending democratic freedoms.

Political parties and NGOs call on Tunisian diplomacy to act immediately regarding the Sumud Flotilla

In response to developments surrounding the Sumud Flotilla, Tunisian political parties and NGOs have urged the government to take swift diplomatic action . The flotilla, organised in solidarity with Palestinians, has reignited Tunisia’s long-standing commitment to the Palestinian cause. Activists argue that the Tunisian government must take a more assertive stance on international platforms to support humanitarian efforts and peace initiatives in Gaza.

In 2021, China’s government officially outlawed 996 after several high-profile cases of worker deaths, including one involving a young employee from e-commerce giant Pinduoduo. Major tech companies such as ByteDance and Tencent followed with promises to curb overtime.

Still, long hours remain widespread. Weak enforcement of labour laws, low wages, and cultural pressure to perform continue to drive overwork. In cities like Shenzhen, the legal minimum wage is far below the average cost of living , forcing some workers to rely on overtime to make ends meet.

China’s overall productivity remains lower than that of developed economies, leading some firms to rely on longer hours to boost output quickly.

To address growing discontent, the government has launched public campaigns against excessive work. A popular TV show, “Overtime No More,” featured celebrities and workers discussing how to balance career demands and personal life.

Some analysts believe these efforts are also linked to international pressure. The European Union recently passed a regulation banning products made with forced labour, which includes “excessive overtime” as a key indicator. Aligning with such standards could help China protect its export markets and improve its global image.

However, others argue that China’s crackdown has more to do with domestic concerns, including social stability and a changing workforce. Younger employees, disillusioned with the promise of hard work leading to success, are increasingly rejecting 996 culture in favour of more balanced lives — a movement known locally as tang ping, or “lying flat.”

Despite the government’s push, many companies still find ways around the rules, and long hours remain deeply rooted in China’s corporate life. The change, experts say, will take time and stronger enforcement.

Ironically, while China moves to restrain its punishing work culture, the 996 mindset is spreading abroad. In the United States , some tech startups now encourage 70-hour work weeks, framing them as a path to rapid innovation and success.

Entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley have begun to praise the discipline and intensity of China’s once-criticised system, arguing that it fuels ambition and competitiveness. Some even advertise long hours as part of their company identity.

As China tries to create a healthier balance between work and life, the rest of the world seems eager to adopt the very culture it is now trying to leave behind.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for stronger representation of women in political leadership, a message that resonated strongly in Mozambique, where female leaders are increasingly asserting influence across political and civic spaces. During a global summit on women’s participation, Mozambique reaffirmed its commitment to gender inclusivity in governance. The country’s delegation highlighted progress in education, healthcare, and social inclusion, while acknowledging that systemic barriers remain. The event has further strengthened diplomatic ties between Beijing and Maputo, aligning their development agendas on gender parity and leadership equality.

Prime minister highlights Mozambique’s progress at women leaders meeting

At a regional meeting of women leaders, Mozambique’s Prime Minister underscored the government’s achievements in promoting women’s political participation and economic empowerment. She emphasised that gender equality is not just a social imperative but an economic strategy for national development. Her remarks detailed new initiatives supporting women entrepreneurs, expanding educational access, and providing financing opportunities for female-led startups. These initiatives, she noted, are part of a broader agenda to ensure that women occupy central roles in Mozambique’s policy and decision-making processes.

Post-election fallout leaves over 12,000 workers without compensation

In the aftermath of Mozambique’s recent elections, trade unions have reported that more than 12,000 workers were dismissed without compensation, raising concerns about labour rights and post-election governance. The affected workers, primarily from public and semi-public sectors, allege political bias in the dismissals, claiming they were targeted for perceived affiliations with opposition parties. The unions have appealed for government intervention and international mediation to address the issue. Labour groups warn that unresolved grievances could escalate into strikes or social unrest if not promptly addressed.

World Bank and Mozambique usher in a new era of cooperation anchored in energy

The World Bank and the Mozambican government have entered a new phase of strategic cooperation , focusing on energy development as a cornerstone of the country’s economic transformation. The partnership emphasises expanding renewable energy projects, improving power grid infrastructure, and ensuring energy access for rural populations. World Bank officials described Mozambique as a “key partner” in sustainable growth for southern Africa. The initiative aligns with Mozambique’s ambition to become a regional energy hub through investment in liquefied natural gas (LNG) and solar capacity.

Portugal to assist Mozambique in tackling businessman kidnappings

In response to a troubling surge in kidnappings of businessmen and professionals, Portugal has pledged closer cooperation with Mozambican authorities to combat organised crime. The partnership includes intelligence sharing, specialised training for local police units, and the development of joint task forces. Portuguese officials emphasised that such incidents threaten investor confidence and bilateral economic relations. Mozambique’s government has welcomed the collaboration, framing it as an important step in restoring security and strengthening ties between the two Portuguese-speaking nations.