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Median monthly wage for formal workers increases to RM2,864 – DOSM http://dlvr.it/TQbBXf
Job Switching vs Staying Put: What US Wage Growth Data Reveals | Labor Market Update
For years, switching jobs was the fastest way to boost pay. But recent data suggests that trend may be changing.
According to the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, U.S. workers who stayed in their current roles saw 4.1% annual wage growth, slightly higher than the 4% growth recorded by job switchers. This marks the sixth consecutive month where job stayers have edged ahead - an unexpected reversal of the typical hiring-cycle pattern.
What’s driving the shift?
✅ Employers are slowing down new hiring ✅ Companies are exercising caution amid policy and economic uncertainty ✅ Wage increases are increasingly focused on retaining existing talent ✅ Employees are choosing stability over risk in a cooling labor market
The result is a market where loyalty, continuity, and retention are being rewarded more than frequent job changes - at least for now.
This trend has important implications for recruiters, HR leaders, and candidates alike. Retention strategies, internal mobility, and employee engagement are becoming just as critical as external hiring efforts.
Watch this visual breakdown of the U.S. Wage Growth Tracker to understand how the labor market is evolving and what it could mean for workforce planning in the months ahead.
BOJ Sticks to Rate Hike Outlook Despite U.S. Tariff Concerns, Sees Wage Growth as Key Driver
The Bank of Japan signaled continued confidence in Japan’s economic recovery and wage momentum, despite lingering concerns over the impact of U.S. tariffs, with Deputy Governor Shinichi Uchida reaffirming the central bank’s readiness to resume interest rate hikes if inflation and growth regain traction.
Speaking in parliament on Tuesday, Uchida acknowledged that uncertainty surrounding U.S. trade policy poses a challenge to Japan’s economic outlook. However, he emphasized that the tight domestic labor market is expected to sustain upward pressure on wages and prices.
"While underlying inflation and inflation expectations may temporarily stall, wage growth is likely to persist thanks to robust employment conditions," Uchida said. He added that Japanese firms are continuing to adjust prices to reflect rising labor and logistics costs.
Despite the external headwinds, Uchida noted that the BOJ would evaluate the broader economic impact of U.S. tariffs without bias and maintain policy flexibility to respond as conditions evolve.
The remarks reflect the central bank’s ongoing balancing act: managing the drag from global trade tensions while remaining attentive to homegrown inflationary trends. Uchida’s comments also align with the BOJ’s recent policy meeting, where interest rates were held steady at 0.5% and growth forecasts were sharply downgraded due to weakening export prospects.
A summary of opinions from the April 30–May 1 meeting released Tuesday revealed a divided board. Some members expressed readiness to restart rate hikes if U.S. policy uncertainty eases, arguing that the broader path to the BOJ’s 2% inflation goal remains intact.
One board member stressed the importance of agility in monetary policy, suggesting that rate hikes could resume if U.S. trade measures stabilize. Another noted that the BOJ’s policy trajectory could shift quickly depending on how global developments unfold.
“There is no change to our tightening stance,” one opinion read, citing persistently negative real interest rates and inflation projections that still point toward achieving the BOJ’s target.
The meeting took place amid heightened global recession fears tied to former U.S. President Trump’s tariff strategy. However, recent market optimism has emerged after the U.S. and China agreed to a 90-day reduction in tariffs, providing temporary relief from trade tensions.
The BOJ also flagged a potential adjustment to its bond tapering strategy. Board members discussed reviewing liquidity conditions across maturities, particularly in response to rising super-long bond yields.
At its June policy meeting, the central bank is expected to reassess the tapering framework for government bond purchases, preparing a new plan that will extend beyond the current schedule, which runs through March 2026.
Tariff Tensions Weigh on U.S. Job Growth as April Numbers Loom
U.S. job growth is expected to have slowed in April, with analysts pointing to heightened economic uncertainty stemming from President Donald Trump’s aggressive tariff agenda as a key factor pressuring the labor market. Despite the cooling pace, companies appear reluctant to initiate layoffs, opting instead to retain staff amid hopes for policy clarity.
The Labor Department's April employment report, due Friday, is unlikely to provide a definitive read on the economy’s direction. It comes on the heels of a disappointing first-quarter GDP figure, which showed a 0.3% contraction as businesses rushed to import goods ahead of steep tariff hikes.
"Liberation Day" Tariffs Send Shockwaves
April 2 marked a turning point when President Trump declared "Liberation Day," announcing broad-based tariffs on nearly all imports—including a 145% tariff on Chinese goods. The move sparked an immediate response from global trade partners and created financial headwinds, prompting warnings from economists about a potential recession.
Although the White House delayed full implementation of the reciprocal tariffs for 90 days, the uncertainty has left businesses frozen in place.
“This kind of uncertainty is like slowly letting the air out of the economy,” said Brian Bethune, economics professor at Boston College. “Companies are holding on to labor now in the hope that this situation will stabilize.”
Slowing, But Still Growing
Economists surveyed by Reuters expect nonfarm payrolls to have risen by about 130,000 in April, down from March’s gain of 228,000. That figure still exceeds the 100,000 monthly jobs needed to match population growth, suggesting a labor market that remains stable, albeit with some signs of fatigue.
The unemployment rate is projected to hold steady at 4.2%. However, softening indicators are beginning to emerge. Major companies like General Motors have already revised their 2025 outlooks, with GM estimating a $4–5 billion tariff-related hit.
Meanwhile, airlines and manufacturers are reacting with concern. China has halted new Boeing aircraft purchases, while Ryanair has warned of canceling orders if tariffs drive up costs.
Resilience Meets Reality
Despite turmoil in trade and policy, economists say businesses are likely to reduce worker hours before turning to layoffs. The average workweek held steady at 34.2 hours in March, down from its peak in 2023.
"The American labor market has shown remarkable strength, but there's only so much it can withstand," said Martha Gimbel, executive director at Yale’s Budget Lab. “Eventually, the uncertainty from Washington will take a toll.”
A number of industry surveys—from the Institute for Supply Management, the Conference Board, and the University of Michigan—are already painting a bleaker picture of consumer and business sentiment.
Policy Shakeups Add to Labor Worries
Further compounding the instability is the Trump administration’s push to downsize the federal government. Under the direction of Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), mass layoffs and funding cuts have targeted key sectors like education and medical research—two of the strongest contributors to employment growth in recent years.
Yet, wage growth remains a bright spot. Average hourly earnings are expected to rise 0.3% for the month, keeping the year-over-year wage gain at 3.9%. This consistency offers some hope that consumer purchasing power might help cushion the economy from broader shocks.
Stagflation Fears Linger—But Not Inevitable
While fears of stagflation—stagnant growth paired with inflation—are growing, some economists are more optimistic.
“We’re not in typical stagflation territory yet,” said Elizabeth Crofoot, senior economist at Lightcast. “As long as employment holds up and wages remain steady, the U.S. economy has a real shot at navigating through these turbulent times without tipping into recession.”
UK Labour Market Slows Ahead of Employer Tax Hike
The UK labour market is showing early signs of strain as it heads into a major employer tax increase in April 2025. In March, payrolled employment dropped by 78,000—the largest monthly fall since the pandemic—while job vacancies dipped below pre-COVID levels. Despite steady wage growth of 5.9%, rising costs from National Insurance hikes and a higher minimum wage are expected to pressure sectors like hospitality and retail.
Wage growth vs Inflation rate in 2025: Who is winning?
In 2025, the ongoing tug-of-war between wage growth and inflation is drawing attention as Americans question whether paychecks are finally outpacing rising costs. With fresh insights from the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report, this article delves into the trends, challenges, and potential winners in this economic showdown. To read more click on : https://www.thehrdigest.com/wage-growth-vs-inflation-rate-in-2025-who-is-winning/
Global Inflation Trends
Global inflation trends play a pivotal role in shaping economic landscapes worldwide, influencing everything from consumer purchasing power to central bank policies. Understanding the dynamics of inflation, particularly in the context of interest rates, consumer prices, the cost of living, central bank interventions, and wage growth, is crucial for policymakers, businesses, and individuals alike. Read the full article