25 Democratic-Led States Sue Trump Administration Over New Global Tariffs 
Asian Currencies Mixed as Yen Retreats, Traders Eye U.S.-Iran Talks and Fed Data 
HSBC H1 Profit Jumps 23%, Announces $1 Billion Share Buyback and Reaffirms 2028 Targets 
BYD July Global Vehicle Sales Rise 22% as Overseas Demand Surges 
Colgate-Palmolive Reaffirms 2026 Sales Outlook Despite Weak North America Demand 
Dollar Posts Worst Monthly Loss Since April as Fed Uncertainty and Yen Intervention Shake FX Markets 
Japan Confirms Coordinated Yen Intervention With U.S., Signals More Action if Needed 
South Korea Exports Surge 62.8% in July on AI Chip Demand 
FleetPartners Shares Jump After A$760 Million Takeover Proposal From Pacific Equity Partners 
China Defends Industrial Policy Ahead of Key U.S. and EU Trade Talks 
KOSPI Drops Nearly 5% as Samsung, SK Hynix Lead AI Stock Selloff 
Gulf Shipping Traffic Steady as U.S.-Iran Talks Remain Uncertain 
UK Economy Faces 2027 Recession Risk if Strait of Hormuz Stays Closed, EY Warns 
Citi Says Sharp TOPIX Drop Could Push USD/JPY Lower as Yen Gains Momentum 
Oil Prices Rebound as U.S.-Iran Talk Uncertainty Keeps Markets on Edge 
Asian Stocks Rise as AI Optimism Returns, Australia Hits Record High Ahead of RBI Decision 
WestJet Cancels 86 Flights as CUPE Strike Threat Disrupts Travel 
Amazon announced on Monday, Oct. 18, that it would be hiring additional 150,000 workers in the United States. The new recruits will be part of the company’s seasonal workforce which means they will be temporarily employed throughout the holiday season this year.
Amazon’s plan to hire thousands of employees was made as it is preparing for the shopping season, where the demand for orders could be extremely high compared to regular days. The hiring will be for stores and company’s facilities in the U.S.
Moreover, Reuters noted that the e-commerce giant’s job recruitment plan comes at the height of a major labor shortage that is currently gripping the country. There is also an increase in activities from union labor groups across the country that has pushed companies to raise the wages of workers. The pay hikes also served as a way for the firms to attract more people to apply for various job positions.
In fact, just last month, Amazon was one of the firms to announce an increase for its starting pay, and the rates have now reached up to more than $18 per hour. For seasonal jobs, the company is offering sign-on bonuses of up to $3,000, and depending on shift hours, an additional $3 per hour was offered.
The perks are offered in Amazon facilities in California, Florida, Colorado, Arizona, Georgia, and Illinois, where the number of seasonal jobs is higher. In 2020, the company recruited applicants for 100,000 seasonal jobs amid the pandemic.
“We are proud to be offering a huge range of full-time, part-time, and now seasonal jobs with great pay and benefits,” Amazon’s senior vice president of global customer fulfillment, Alicia Boler Davis, said in a press release. “Our seasonal hiring helps us deliver on our promises to customers while also providing flexibility to our full-time employees during busy periods.”
Davis went on to state, “Joining Amazon in one of our seasonal roles offers high-paying, part-time work, or a path to a full-time position, with benefits like our Career Choice program to help people advance their education and careers within Amazon or beyond.”
