Business

Alibaba suspends several staff and launches investigation followed by sexual assault allegation.

Published

3 years ago

09/08/2021

Chinese e-commerce company Alibaba Group Holding Ltd said on Sunday it has suspended several staff following an employee’s allegations on the company’s intranet that she was sexually assaulted by her boss and a client.

An eleven-page PDF published by the woman’s account, went on to circulate widely online, prompted a social media storm on China’s Twitter-like microblogging website Weibo. Police in the city of Jinan said on Sunday morning that they were investigating the incident.

Alibaba’s spokesperson said on the statement issued that “Alibaba Group has a zero-tolerance policy against sexual misconduct, and ensuring a safe workplace for all our employees is Alibaba’s top priority,”

“We have suspended relevant parties suspected of violating our policies and values, and have established a special internal task force to investigate the issue and support the ongoing police investigation.” Said the spokesperson.

According to the woman, who did not reveal her identity, said that incident took place while on a business trip. The woman, alleged that her boss coerced her into going on a business trip with him to meet one of her team’s clients in the city of Jinan, about 900 kilometers (560 miles) from Alibaba’s headquarters in Hangzhou.

According to the woman, on the evening of July 27, the client kissed her. After consuming alcohol, she woke up in a hotel room the following day with her clothes removed and no memory of what happened the evening before. CCTV footage she obtained from the hotel showed that her boss entered the room four times over the course of the evening, she added.

Upon returning to Hangzhou, she said she reported the incident to human resources and upper management on Aug. 2, asking her boss be fired and for time off. While human resources initially agreed, ultimately they did not follow through, she said.

Alibaba CEO Daniel Zhang responded to the uproar late on Saturday on the company’s internal message board, according to a person who saw the post, though the company did not officially disclose the material posted on its intranet . “It is not just Human Resources who should apologize. The related business department managers also hold responsibility and should apologize for their silence and failure to respond in a timely manner,” Zhang wrote.

“Starting from me, starting from management, starting from human resources, everyone at Alibaba must empathize, reflect, and take action.”

Alibaba announced on its intranet that the woman’s supervisor, her contact at human resources, and direct management of those individuals had been placed on suspension, according to the person who saw the posts.

Last month another sex scandal rocked China when Chinese-Canadian pop singer Kris Wu was publicly accused by an 18-year-old Chinese student of inducing her and other girls, some of them under the age of 18, to have intercourse with him.

The incident revived discussions of the #MeToo movement in China, and police in Beijing subsequently arrested Wu, who has denied the allegations.

Source: Channel News Asia

Business

Maldives records USD 802.2 million in first four months

Published

9 hours ago

19/05/2024

The Ministry of Finance has disclosed that the state received USD 802.2 million in revenue during the first four months of this year, marking a significant 4.2% increase compared to the same period last year.

This revenue breakdown comprises USD 660 million in tax revenue, USD 129.4 million in non-tax revenue, and USD 5 million in aid to administration.

Tax revenue is primarily derived from Import Duty, Business and Property Tax (BPT), and Goods and Service Tax (GST), with figures as follows:

– Import Duty: USD 60.3 million
– BPT: USD 168.2 million
– GST: USD 375.2 million
– Green Tax: USD 27 million
– Airport Service Charge and Departure Tax: USD 25.1 million

Moreover, financial data indicates that the current administration has notably reduced overall expenses compared to the previous year.

Total government expenditures for the first four months of this year stand at USD 925.1 million, a significant decrease from last year’s USD 1.04 billion. This includes USD 724.6 million in recurrent expenses and USD 194.1 million in capital expenditure. Recurrent expenses prominently consist of USD 284.7 million in salaries and allowances and USD 433.4 million in administrative expenses, while capital expenditures primarily involve infrastructural development projects.

Source(s): PsmNews

Business

CWEIC office to establish in Maldives, Janah as Chair

Published

3 days ago

16/05/2024

Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC) has announced decision to establish its office in the Maldives, and appoint President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s Principal Advisor Mohamed Ali Janah as its Country Chair.

CWEIC in a statement on Thursday, said the office will be established to connect the Maldives government with international investors and businesses.

The Maldives hub office of CWEIC will play a vital role in seeking prospective investment opportunities from all 56-member nations of the Commonwealth. The office will also enhance strategic alliances and partnerships between these countries and the Maldivian government.

Veteran entrepreneur, Janah boasts of over 30 years of business relations with the Middle East.

Source(s): sun.mv

Business

Dubai company awarded the development of SEZ

Published

7 days ago

12/05/2024

An agreement has been signed by the Maldivian administration with UAE’s International Free Zone Authority (IFZA) to develop Special Economic Zones (SEZ) in the Maldives.

The agreement, officially co-signed by Minister of Economic Development and Trade Mohamed Saeed and IFZA Chairman Martin Gregers Pedersen during a special ceremony, marks a significant milestone in economic development.

Speaking at the ceremony, Minister Saeed emphasized the timeline for finalizing the agreement, committing to reach a consensus within the next four months. As part of the agreement, Fonadhoo in Kaafu Atoll will be transformed into a financial hub, featuring a new financial center and a bridge connecting Male’ and Hulhule. IFZA will bear the expenses for these developments.

The Ministry of Economic Development and Trade further highlighted plans for the Economic Gateway project in Ihavandhippolhu, aiming to attract investors with IFZA’s expertise. Addressing the attendees, Chairman Pedersen expressed confidence in the success of the project, underscoring collaborations with investors to further enhance opportunities in the Maldives.

The development of SEZs remarkably aligns with the President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s vision to diversify the economy and stimulate financial growth. The Maldivian administration is optimistic about attracting future investments and positioning the country as a desirable destination for business opportunities.

Source(s): PsmNews