Hong Kong pushes for weekly COVID-19 test for public workers
Unvaccinated government staff may need to get tested for COVID-19 every week instead of once every two weeks.
Socso supports employment initiatives under new Malaysia Budget
The Social Security Organization (Socso) will give its full support to the government’s plan to strengthen the labour market and expand social safety nets.
Unpaid leave await unvaccinated public officers in Singapore
Medically eligible public officers who opt to remain unvaccinated against COVID-19 may be asked to take unpaid leave.
Number of South Koreans outside labour force drops
The number of people outside the labour force fell 0.6% in August compared to that of 2020, driven by more people wanting to be employed again.
Singapore sees net gain of 30,000 newly registered companies
Between March last year and September 2021, more than 73,000 business entities ceased operations, while nearly 103,600 were formed.
Vietnam’s unemployment insurance supports over 5 million workers
More than 5 million workers affected by the pandemic have received assistance from the unemployment insurance fund.
Singapore to raise retirement and re-employment ages
The retirement and re-employment ages for employees will be progressively raised under the law to enable older Singaporeans to continue working.
Business recovery to receive boost in Metro Manila
The government is planning to lower Metro Manila’s pandemic restrictions to Alert Level 2 from November 15 until the end of the year.
Malaysia’s 2022 budget to focus on job creation
One of the main priorities of next year’s budget is creating employment opportunities in a time when many have lost their jobs or had their salaries cut.
Lower-wage workers in Singapore to get pay increase
Workers with gross monthly salaries of up to S$2,000 (US$1,482) should get a 4.5% to 7.5% raise of between S$70 (US$51.9) and S$90 (US$66.7).
Malaysia priorities safety of employees working from home
Malaysia is making amendments to the Employment Act 1955 on flexible work to ensure employees can work safely from home.
Singapore’s resident employment increased in Q3
The Manpower Ministry (MOM) said the labour market saw a rise in resident employment and fewer retrenchments compared to Q2.
13th-month pay in the Philippines to be pro-rated
The Department of Labour and Employment (DOLE) has issued guidelines on the release of the 13th month pay for this year.
Indonesia considers minimum wage increase in 2022
The speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives says doing so will improve the welfare of workers affected by the pandemic.
Temp staff in South Korea rises to 38.4% of working population
The proportion of non-regular employees has increased by 2.1 percentage points to 38.4% of the labour force in August year-on-year.
New Zealand makes vaccination mandatory for hospitality staff
Employees of businesses where customers are required to show vaccine certificates will be given four weeks to also get the jab or face sacking
India’s first National Employment Policy to create more jobs
The government will form a committee to set up India’s first National Employment Policy to significantly raise employment in the country.
Malaysia proposes amending Employment Act
The human resources minister has tabled for the first reading a Bill to amend the Employment Act to insert a new section on paternity leave in Parliament.
113,000 workers in Singapore still unvaccinated
About 113,000 working people remain unvaccinated in the country, out of which only a small portion are not medically fit for the COVID-19 vaccination.
Taiwan’s unemployment rate falls to 3.96% in September
As locally transmitted cases of COVID-19 have been brought under control, the employment rate fell for a third consecutive month in September.
Eateries, spas cannot sack unvaccinated staff in the Philippines
Businesses offering dine-in and in-person services cannot fire staff or withhold the salaries of those who are not vaccinated.
Hong Kong’s unemployment rate falls to 4.5%
The jobless rate in Hong Kong fell from 4.7% in the June-August period to 4.5% in the July-September quarter, the lowest since the first quarter last year.
India mulls reclassifying gig workers as employees
Gig and platform workers may be reclassified as employees in a major government policy move amid a changing employment landscape.
Thailand approves 37 billion baht in subsidies for SMEs
To help SMEs retain employees, the Thai Cabinet has approved a 37-billion-baht (US$1.1 billion) subsidy programme that will help pay for salaries.
Malaysia’s civil servants told to get vaccinated or face dismissal
The Public Service Department (JPA) is mandating all medically fit civil servants to get the jab against COVID-19 or face the sack.
More South Korean women prefer to work virtually
An online survey of 4,476 employees shows that a much higher proportion of women than men prefer to work remotely than at a physical office location.
S$13 million recovered in employee claims in Singapore
Employees who made claims for salary arrears and compensation for wrongful dismissal in the last financial year recovered S$13 million.
China’s urban unemployment rate fell marginally in September
Data showed that the country’s surveyed urban unemployment rate fell 0.5 percentage point to 4.9% in September year-on-year.
Taiwan ranks 4th globally in number of working hours
Workers in Taiwan worked more hours than those in other countries in the world last year except for three other countries, according to the Ministry of Labour.
Australia’s Labour Party proposes more rights for part-time workers
To help workers, especially women, balance family and employment responsibilities, Labour has urged for a review of the “erosion” of part-time work.