Global HR headlines: Mastercard links all bonuses to ESG, SAP exits Russia

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Apple workers in the US seek R463 per hour minimum wage.

After 30 years of operating in Russia, with more than 1,200 employees, SAP has confirmed that it will completely exit in protest against the invasion of Ukraine. Apple workers seek higher minimum wage amid a tight labour market, while more Amazon workers seek unionisation. Payment processor Mastercard announces its plan to link all employees bonuses to ESG initiatives.

Apple workers seek higher wages in tight labour market
Workers who hope to organise a union at Apple’s high-profile Grand Central Terminal store in New York City want workers to be paid a minimum of $30 (R463) per hour, according to a website for the group Fruit Stand Workers United.

Employees started to take steps to unionise earlier this year, posting the first public-facing website announcing their effort. The request for increased wages shows Apple’s wage workers believe they’re more valuable in a tight labour market, reports CNBC.

SAP ends 30-year Russian operations
SAP will completely pull out of Russia, winding up its cloud operations there. The move follows protest measures the enterprise software giant had already taken on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The announcement marks a significant moment for SAP, which noted in its statement that it has built an “excellent team” in Russia and has operated there for more than 30 years. SAP CFO Luka Mucic said the company has 1,200 employees in Russia.

“We are making taking care of our employees a significant part of our considerations, with in particular a primary focus on their safety and wellbeing,” he said, adding that this work is still in process and too early to discuss publicly.

Mastercard to link all bonuses to ESG
Mastercard will link all employee bonuses to environmental, social and corporate-governance (ESG) initiatives, expanding an earlier programme that was limited to its senior executives, CE Michael Miebach has said.

The move will help the payment processor achieve its goals of cutting carbon usage, improving financial inclusion and gender pay parity. Mastercard in November accelerated its net zero timeline by a decade, to 2040 from 2050.

Against a backdrop of growing public and political concerns about climate change and economic inequality, companies are under increasing pressure to show they are taking greater responsibility for how they run operations and generate their profits, reports Reuters.

More Amazon workers show union interest
Amazon workers at a small facility in New Jersey have shown enough interest to hold a vote on unionising.

At least 60 of 200 workers have submitted cards seeking to organise as part of Local 713 International Brotherhood of the Trade Union, the National Labour Relations Board said.

An election date and terms have yet to be agreed upon, and Amazon could dispute the validity of the petition. The company did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Reuters.

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