Vantage Point

Explore our latest perspectives on the global economy, geopolitics, and industry dynamics.

TOPIC: LABOR

Can Vietnam sustain its rapid economic growth?

January 15, 2026

Vietnam’s economy is growing strongly, supported by robust exports and a renewed push in infrastructure investment and workforce upskilling. While these efforts directly address key business constraints such as logistics bottlenecks and labor shortages, rising costs and execution risks from limited fiscal space remain potential headwinds.

India’s New Labor Reforms Face Challenges at the State Level

December 9, 2025

India’s new labor codes mark a major reform effort, but state-level rollout will be uneven. Different political priorities, capacity gaps, and concerns over costs will slow uniform implementation.

Thailand’s political landscape and competitiveness at risk amid Cambodia tensions

August 8, 2025

The July 2025 Thailand-Cambodia conflict has intensified political instability and triggered a labor shortage in Thailand, further undermining its competitiveness amid rising regional investment competition.

What the U.S. reciprocal tariff push means for South Asia

May 15, 2025

Reciprocal tariffs threaten South Asia’s critical labor-intensive exports to the U.S. by eroding cost advantages and deterring investment, prompting affected countries to negotiate concessions that carry significant economic and political risks.

What lies ahead for Indonesia’s manufacturing sector?

November 5, 2024

Indonesia's new president, Prabowo Subianto, faces the challenge of revitalizing the manufacturing sector amid regulatory hurdles and labor issues, with the potential for growth hinging on effective implementation of the 2020 Job Creation Law.

Southeast Asia Attracts Investment but Faces Capacity Crunch

April 18, 2024

One of the ways that SEA-5 nations seek to address existing labor shortages challenges is by increasing productivity. The successful execution of this strategy will be crucial for sustaining their competitiveness in the global market.