AGP Executive Report

Hiring Access: Job fairs across three Eastern Visayas cities offered more than 6,000 openings, while the International Criminal Court invited applicants from five under-represented West African countries to apply for roles in The Hague. Skills and Employment: Philippine education agencies launched new pathways linking learning and skills training to jobs. China reported 10.52 million new urban jobs in the first nine months of 2026 and announced further employment measures as AI reshapes work. Labor Market Signals: Canada lost 68,000 jobs in September. Revised U.S. figures also cut 822,000 previously reported job gains from January 2025 to August 2026, suggesting a weaker labor market than early estimates showed. Regional Growth: Northwest Louisiana is forecast to add 4,800 jobs by 2028, driven by investment in data centers, manufacturing, energy and military activity.

Canada’s Job Slump: Employers cut 68,300 jobs in September, the second straight monthly decline, pushing unemployment to 6.5% and cooling expectations of a Bank of Canada rate hike. China’s Employment Push: China added 10.52 million urban jobs in the first nine months, reaching 87.7% of its annual target; officials plan new measures to make services a stronger source of jobs. Layoff Watch: Netflix is reportedly preparing to cut about 5% of its workforce—roughly 800 to 850 jobs—as it faces slowing viewer engagement and a falling share price. Tech Sector Swings: Ireland’s Stripe plans 200 new Dublin jobs, while Oracle is reportedly considering 70 cuts, underscoring the sector’s uneven outlook. Investment and Hiring: GSK’s planned expansion in Pennsylvania is expected to create more than 300 jobs. Meanwhile, employers still struggle to find qualified applicants, and forecasts point to 1.7 million trade job openings a year through 2035.

Canada’s Labour Market: Employers shed 68,000 jobs in September after a 42,000 decline in August, lifting unemployment to 6.5%. Quebec lost 49,000 jobs in September and 130,000 since the start of the year. Pay and Hiring: Malaysia plans a RM2,500 starting salary for graduates and semi-skilled workers; worker advocates say the rules must prevent employers from cutting allowances. In the US, Amazon plans up to 1,000 hires at a new fulfillment center, while Philippine BPO firm Teleperformance is recruiting 6,000 as AI reshapes the sector. M&S is also adding 11,000 temporary holiday jobs. Skills and Early Careers: US trades face 1.7 million annual openings through 2035, but youth hiring is weakening: New Zealand saw a 32% drop in teens starting jobs with new employers between 2023 and 2025. Workplace Trends: More than half of surveyed Gen Z professionals plan to seek a new job by year-end, often for better pay and benefits. Employers also face growing pressure to manage burnout and protect staff wellbeing.

US Hiring: Washington suspended eight technology companies, including Microsoft, TCS, Infosys and Wipro, from the PERM green-card programme. TCS says the move won’t derail its plans to hire 15,000 people in the US over five years, while Microsoft says most of its H-1B filings were for existing staff. Job Cuts: Oracle plans to cut 70 more jobs in Ireland as it funds its AI expansion; surveillance-tech firm Flock Safety will shed about 270 workers. Carlsberg’s proposed closure of its historic Burton brewery puts 310 jobs at risk. AI and Work: AI is prompting tech firms to rethink staffing at Indian global capability centres, while Gartner warns procurement teams risk skills gaps and “job chaos” without role redesign. The technology could also help HR teams spot early signs of employee burnout. Hiring Trends: Australian small businesses added staff in September, but hiring momentum has eased over the longer term and wage growth has cooled.

Corporate Restructuring: Amazon cut fewer than 1,000 roles in its retail business, with workers in the US, India and UK reportedly affected. Carlsberg’s planned 2027 closure of its Burton brewery puts about 310 jobs at risk, while Royal Mail’s restructuring could eliminate 2,500 roles. Labour Market: US jobless claims fell to 197,000 and have stayed below 200,000 for four weeks. But economists describe a low-hire, low-fire market that is tough for jobseekers. AI and Skills: A Malaysian programme training people in 5G, AI and cloud technology aims to place all 50 participants within four weeks. Meanwhile, a voice artist says she lost a job to AI. Hiring and Investment: Michigan grants are expected to support 134 jobs through redevelopment projects in Detroit and Kalamazoo. Long Island employers are exploring flexible schedules and new benefits strategies as health coverage costs rise.

Restructuring: Royal Mail plans to cut up to 2,500 head-office and support jobs by the end of 2027 as letter volumes fall; unions are urging ministers to intervene. Amazon has also announced fresh cuts affecting fewer than 1,000 white-collar staff, mainly in its Stores division, across the US, India and UK. AI and Work: HubSpot is cutting 660 roles and HSBC plans to halve UK wealth-management jobs as AI reshapes operations. Shopify’s CEO warns that AI can make workers appear more productive while shifting fact-checking and repair work onto colleagues. Hiring: AMD plans a South Korean AI research centre and expects to hire hundreds of researchers, while UOB says it will recruit 1,000 graduates as AI changes entry-level work. UPS, meanwhile, plans 100,000 seasonal hires for the holiday period.

Layoffs and Restructuring: HubSpot plans to cut about 660 jobs while reorganising around AI, though its CEO says the cuts are not driven by AI efficiencies. Porsche plans to eliminate roughly 9,000 roles by 2030, and Royal Mail expects up to 2,500 support and head-office jobs to go by the end of 2027. AI at Work: A New Jersey bill would require notice, training and severance when employers use AI to make major job changes. In New Zealand, a job seeker questioned whether an AI interview was genuine after the company stopped responding. Hiring: AMD plans to open an AI research centre in South Korea and hire hundreds of researchers. UPS will recruit 100,000 seasonal workers, fewer than last year for a second straight year. Labour Market: Philippine unemployment fell to 5.3% in August, but a labour group warned that much of the employment growth came from unpaid family work and self-employment, raising concerns about job quality and wages.

Public Sector Heat Safety: Tacloban City employees asked Mayor Alfred Romualdez to pause the weekly flag-raising ceremony due to El Niño-linked extreme heat, aiming to prevent heat-related illness. Hiring & Pay Pressure: Tacoma, Washington is weighing cuts to close a $40M budget gap, including possible elimination of about 100 municipal positions and reductions to community safety programs. Seasonal Recruitment: Indiana DOT (INDOT) is running winter hiring events for snowplow and highway roles, with on-site interviews and CDL requirements. Local Jobs Boost: Opuwo, Namibia saw 300+ applicants queue for OK MegaSave roles as the store prepares to open with 30+ positions. Workplace Rights & Disputes: Cosatu is launching nationwide protests for decent work, citing retrenchments, wage non-compliance, and attacks on collective bargaining. Employment Fraud Warnings: South Africa’s SAPS warned against WhatsApp “police jobs” scams demanding up to R15,000. AI & Work Culture: A Jobstreet study in Singapore found 63% of employees feel always-on pressure despite more flexibility, raising burnout concerns. Education & Labor: A Patna High Court decision quashed an SBI “voluntarily vacated” rule case after sick leave was approved. Public Safety Staffing: Massachusetts’ FEMA grants will help Revere hire 12 firefighters, expanding first-responder capacity.

Public Health Workforce Cuts: The CDC has lost nearly a third of its staff over the past year, with layoffs plus retirements and resignations leaving some divisions operating at a fraction of prior capacity. Healthcare Ops & Payroll: A Medicare proposal would stop counting minutes for remote blood-pressure monitoring staff on a vendor’s payroll if they never actually meet patients. Workplace Safety: A Maine excavator operator died after the machine overturned at a pipeline job site, now under investigation by the medical examiner and OSHA. Media Mergers & Job Security: Paramount’s $81bn Warner Bros. Discovery deal closed, forming Skydance and warning of “difficult decisions” as it targets $6bn in savings; CBS News leadership says no immediate changes are coming. Layoffs From Consolidation: A Wisconsin bank plans to cut 47 of 99 jobs at three locations ahead of a merger. Public Sector Restructuring: New Zealand’s Inland Revenue faces union pushback as baselines shrink and further job cuts may be considered. Anti-Hate Training: California signed laws requiring anti-hate training for officials and employers starting in 2028. Fraud & Hiring Risks: Ghana warns job seekers about fake Zambia offers tied to forced cybercrime and passport confiscation. Steel Jobs Under Pressure: Canada’s industry minister threatens legal action over Stelco’s planned 500-worker layoffs tied to tariffs and market pressures.

Workplace Safety & Compliance: Chhattisgarh’s “New Delhi Sweets” faced a food-safety scare after a viral video showed staff washing utensils in a restroom; officials inspected and ordered corrective action. Fraud & Hiring Scams: Delhi police busted two fake job placement call centres near Shadipur Metro, arresting 11 operatives who allegedly charged unemployed people for “lucrative” opportunities. Cybersecurity & HR Systems: The FBI removed an Accenture contractor after a breach exposed sensitive employee information, with reporting pointing to PeopleSoft as the exploited HR platform. Labour Market Confidence: A UK survey found 64% of knowledge workers say leaving their job feels too risky, with AI fears and organizational change driving caution. Recruitment & Skills Programs: India expanded rural works under Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission, adding 375 permissible activities to link wage jobs with long-term assets. Education Workforce: Nigeria’s teachers’ union urged governments to improve pay, recruitment, security, and AI guidance for teachers ahead of World Teachers’ Day. Job Cuts Watch: Trinidad and Tobago’s energy sector warned Nu­trien’s planned nitrogen shutdown could trigger retrenchment and wider economic fallout.

Teacher Pay & Training: Ghana’s VP says government will keep investing in teacher training and digital resources to prepare students for an AI-shaped job market. Local Employment Support: Horsham District Council is extending its Employment Hub and Think Futures programmes, offering CV help, interview prep and pathways into work for residents and young people. Hiring Fairs: Palm Beach County will run two hospitality and tourism job fairs in October, aiming to match employers with jobseekers as the sector supports nearly 95,000 local jobs. Corporate Restructuring: Prudential filed a WARN notice for 125 layoffs in New Jersey, citing workforce and operating simplification ahead of long-term growth. Tech & AI Work: HackerRank is rolling out an AI interviewer that evaluates candidates’ judgment and “AI fluency,” signaling a shift in how hiring assessments may work. Workplace Equity: LinkedIn research finds women hold only 13% of C-suite AI leadership roles across 27 countries, raising concerns about who benefits from the AI hiring boom. Fraud Alert: Nigeria’s revenue service warns of a fake “FIRS job vacancy replacement” circulating online and tells jobseekers not to share personal details. Layoffs in Games: Ninja Theory has started laying off staff after Xbox moved toward closing the studio.

IMF Deal for Jobs-Linked Recovery: Sri Lanka reached a staff-level agreement with the IMF on the seventh review of its EFF, unlocking about $345m once the Executive Board approves—conditional on the 2027 budget and debt-restructuring progress, a move that could stabilize hiring and public services. US Hiring Cools: New data showed the US added only 29,000 jobs in September with revisions to prior months, pushing markets to scale back expectations of another Fed hike—an important signal for employers planning hiring and pay. Business Confidence Lifts in the North East (UK): Lloyds’ barometer found regional confidence rose to 50% in September, with 47% of firms expecting to hire more staff over the next year. Manufacturing Push in Tanzania: Bagamoyo’s eco-maritime city plan is advancing with projects expected to create up to 100,000 jobs, spanning textiles, steel, agro-processing, pharma and more. Workplace Safety & HR Compliance: Hyderabad pharmacies face scrutiny after a report found nearly 70% use unregistered staff—raising risks around prescription handling and patient safety. AI and Hiring Friction: Meta reportedly let go co-founders and employees from its acquired Virtue AI team after “differences in working styles,” a reminder that AI talent moves can fail even when the mission is aligned.

Hiring & Training: Indiana DOT will hold a winter seasonal hiring event Oct. 6 for highway maintenance and snow/ice removal, with pay starting at $21/hour (and $25/hour on-call snowplow-only); CDL required. Workplace Tech & Fairness: A job seeker says an AI interview agent was awkward, timed, and the company later “ghosted” her—prompting a petition to ban “ghost” job ads that may harvest data. Corporate Restructuring: Nike’s “Pace” overhaul targets about $2.5B in savings through 2031, with role reductions and added capabilities in some areas. Labor Market Signals: The US September jobs report showed only 29,000 jobs added and unemployment rising to 4.2%, raising concerns that the Fed may have tightened too far. Immigration & Staffing: H-1B data shows Delaware, Nebraska, Connecticut, Minnesota, Illinois, and South Dakota employers filing thousands of petitions in 2025, with approval rates near the national average. Job Creation Abroad: China’s “Hundred Days, Ten Million Jobs” campaign ran online fairs that drew 7,700+ employers and 134,000+ openings across key sectors. Industry Hiring Demand: Aviation training leaders warn aircraft maintenance roles will keep growing, but workers must upskill for complex tech. Local Growth: UK manufacturer Pre-Met secured six new orders and added supervisory/maintenance jobs while recruiting for power press setter and toolmaker roles.

Healthcare staffing & safety: A coroner warned that a “frail” pensioner died after sepsis developed during a 200-mile hospital transfer with no medically trained crew to monitor her. Care sector leadership: UK regulators found “widespread and significant shortfalls in leadership” at Eastbourne Care Home, citing instability, low morale, staffing gaps, and unsafe medicines management. Public pay & HR admin: Government employees are set to receive three months’ salary arrears with October pay, but workers must submit accurate grade and salary details for pay fixation. Hybrid work rules: Police Scotland plans to bring some home-working staff back to the office, raising concerns for parents who built childcare around remote work. Job market & training: ARU Peterborough secured £150k for free Upskill Peterborough courses for 18–21s not in education, employment or training. Youth employment pipeline: A Nepal job fair in Itahari drew students and returnee migrants seeking skills and training across IT, tourism, and trades. Workplace fraud & hiring scams: India’s Economic Offences Wing filed chargesheets over alleged fake government job and land offers to job aspirants. Auto jobs risk: UK industry urged urgent UK-EU talks to protect thousands of jobs in the auto sector. Airport outsourcing scrutiny: Suvarnabhumi baggage backlogs are linked to shortages among outsourced ground staff after temporary cargo suspensions. Labor & union budget pressure: Unions in Trinidad and Tobago are pushing 2027 budget demands focused on wage settlements and back-pay for workers still on old salaries.

US Labor Market: September added just 29,000 jobs and unemployment ticked up to 4.2%, with BLS revising July and August down by 60,000—raising fresh questions about how far the Fed can keep tightening. Bangladesh Pay Talks: The telecom regulator BTRC is seeking a monthly allowance worth 60% of basic salary for staff, pending government approval. Corporate Layoffs: Dr. Praeger’s will cut 168 jobs at its New Jersey plant and shift production to Kentucky; Disney begins another round of layoffs hitting about 300 roles, mainly HR and tech. Retail Closures: Kings Food Markets plans to close two New Jersey stores, cutting 122 jobs by early 2027. South Africa Safety & Services: Johannesburg launched its GBVF response plan, while SASSA moves to fill vacancies within 16 days amid staffing shortages. Workplace & Hiring Signals: Crypto job postings jumped to 1,241 in September as applications fell, suggesting a tighter talent market. Other HR shocks: A bomb threat led to evacuation at Chisinau’s Eugen Doga airport; and a Nairobi court ruled supervisors can be held liable for operational failures by staff.

US labor market slowdown: The U.S. added just 29,000 jobs in September and unemployment rose to 4.2%, with prior months revised down—fueling fresh debate over how long hiring will stay sluggish. Markets react: Softer jobs data helped lift stocks, with the Nasdaq 100 hitting a record as rate-hike expectations cooled. Corporate restructuring: Nike outlined “Pace” changes that include a Bengaluru campus and new regional structure, alongside job cuts tied to the overhaul. UK manufacturing hits: Syngenta began formal consultation on cutting 377 roles at its Grangemouth site, after earlier public support and amid wider regional job losses. UK factory closure pressure: Airsprung confirmed 47 more redundancies at its Trowbridge site after equipment was removed and the factory was padlocked. Public sector staffing shakeups: Zambia’s health minister ordered all ZAMMSA staff separated “in national interest” after repeated problems and an audit. Workforce development: Kenya’s TVET colleges were urged to fully use government-installed machinery to boost production, revenue, and job creation. Job access push: India’s University of Delhi will run AVASAR 2026 on Oct 7 with 4,000+ registered students and 85+ employers. AI and jobs risk: McKinsey says AI could force 11 million workers into new jobs, even as roles shift. Workplace rights & pay: Princeton warned of further budget cuts as staffing reductions and rising costs squeeze departments. Labor enforcement: South Korea cracked down on illegal gambling-style internet cafes, but enforcement staffing remains thin.