Economic conditions
Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo expressed satisfaction that economic indicators have remained unshaken despite attempts to overthrow her administration. She vowed to "work triple time" to fight poverty and sustain the momentum of the country's economy. The President's statement comes as the country faces
Economic conditions
The Philippine Senate has started deliberating on the proposed 2006 national budget, worth P1.053 trillion (US$19.2 billion), presented by the Philippine Presidential Palace Malacanang. Senate President Pro Tempore Juan Flavier raised questions about the P5 billion Asenso Fund and P3 billion Kalayaan Barangay allocations, prompting Budget Secretary
Economic conditions
The Philippines is gearing up for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders Summit in Busan, South Korea, where President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will lead the country's delegation. The summit, scheduled from November 17 to 19, 2005, is expected to further strengthen economic cooperation among APEC member economies and tackle
Economic conditions
Australian Treasurer Peter Costello has urged companies to refrain from using rising petrol prices as a pretext to inflate prices of their own products, citing moderate inflation of 0.9% for the September quarter and a 3% increase for the year, as per the Australian Bureau of Statistics. While inflation
Economic conditions
South Korean Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan met with Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko in Kiev on October 24, 2003, to discuss pending issues between the two countries and strengthen bilateral ties. The meeting came after the fourth round of six-party talks on North Korea's nuclear weapons program, which ended
Economic conditions
At the 2005 World Summit-High Level Plenary Meeting of the 60th Session of the UN General Assembly, Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo urged the international community to address four pressing global challenges: poverty, terrorism, debt, and soaring oil prices. She proposed a 50% conversion of debt for the Millennium Development Goals
Economic conditions
Philippine House Speaker Jose de Venecia has received backing from the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) for his proposal to ease the debt burden on some 100 middle-income developing nations. The IPU plans to discuss De Venecia's debt-for-equity idea at its next executive council meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, this October.
Industry regulations
Taipei's Chunghwa Telecom workers, union members of the Chunghwa Telecom Labor Union, are set to go on strike in a bid to halt the government's plan to privatize the state-run company. The strike date remains undisclosed, with union leaders planning to inform members via SMS text
Industry regulations
Labor disputes and negotiations have been ongoing between management and union representatives at Asiana Airlines since July 17, when the strike began, resulting in significant losses for the company, impacting the national economy, and inconveniencing passengers. The failure to reach an agreement on key issues, including pilot qualification review and
Industry regulations
The Philippine Senate passed a motion to impose value-added tax (VAT) on the power sector, despite opposition from Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago, who argued that it would lead to higher power rates. The bill, sponsored by Senator Ralph Recto, was approved with a vote of 11-9, with Santiago, along with
Industry regulations
The Government of the Kyrgyz Republic has received financing from the World Bank to support the governance and technical assistance credit project in the country. A key component of this project is the formation and functioning of the Civil Service Agency, which requires the assistance of consultants to ensure its
Industry regulations
The Australian federal government is set to introduce significant changes to industrial relations, prompting a massive information campaign by the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU). ACTU secretary Greg Combet has warned that few people are aware of the government's plans to attack basic workplace rights, and that
