Funding from FDI to create high-skilled jobs in Malaysia
The government is partnering international venture capital fund managers to create jobs, said Malaysia’s finance minister.
South Korea to increase investment in startups in 2021
The Ministry of SMEs and Startups said the budget to support startups has been raised to 1.5 trillion won (US$1.4 billion) this year.
Employees in Singapore not getting COVID-19 vaccine not obliged to change duties
Workers who are not vaccinated will not need to have a change of job scope, says health minister.
Japan’s economy projected to grow 3.42% by end of next fiscal year
Japan’s economy is expected to start recovering toward the end of 2021 as consumption gathers momentum and vaccinations become widespread.
India proposes work-from-home rules for services sector
The Ministry of Labour & Employment has made the proposal to formalise work from home (WFH) regulations for the services sector in the new year.
Employers in Australia can make COVID-19 vaccination compulsory for staff
Businesses can force their staff to get vaccinated against COVID-19 under workplace laws.
South Korea to spend US$5.3 billion on science and ICT research
The Ministry of Science and ICT will invest US$5.3 billion on science and information and communication technology (ICT) research in 2021.
Cambodia: e-commerce initiative aims to create 10,000 new jobs
A joint initiative by the Ministry of Commerce (MoC) and UN Development Programme (UNDP) will boost the kingdom’s e-commerce drive and create jobs.
IMF projects full recovery for Vietnam, Indonesia and Malaysia in 2021
Out of the six leading economies in Southeast Asia, three countries are expected to expand in 2021, while others will struggle to recover.
Cambodia subsidises garment, textile and tourism sectors
The government will continue to offer subsidies to the garment and textile industry, which accounts for 80% of the country’s exports.
Singapore must manage wage disparity
Trade and industry minister Chan Chun Sing said equipping workers with skills for the future is crucial in managing wage disparity in the country.
South Korean graduates face a job market with less openings
The employment rate of university graduates of the class of 2019 fell, while the employment gap between men and women widened.
Thailand relaxes rules on soft loans and mulls monthly long weekends next year
The Bank of Thailand (BoT) has further relaxed rules on a soft loan programme to help SMEs financially.
India revamps quarterly employment surveys
Starting from March next year, the government will launch a more comprehensive All India Quarterly Base Establishment Survey (AIQBES).
More South Koreans disheartened with job search
As the pandemic worsens an already tightening labour market, an increasing number of South Koreans have abandoned the search for jobs.
Thailand moves to attract foreign investments
The government plans to revise various regulations in immigration, foreign business and other areas to attract more foreign direct investment next year.
Japan: Number of job hoppers drop in market hit by pandemic
The number of workers changing jobs has seen a 6.8% drop in the first nine months of this year compared to the same period last year.
Retirement-fund body to provide social security cover for informal workers in India
The EPFO faces the huge challenge to cover 400 million informal workers.
Singapore: “Sharp cliff effect” not likely when government relief schemes cease
Jobs and business are expected to adapt as government support taper off going into 2021.
More unemployed and middle-aged South Koreans start small businesses
To make ends meet, more jobless middle-aged people have turned entrepreneurial and started their own small businesses.
Good fundamentals crucial to recovery in the Philippines
The Department of Finance (DoF) said maintaining good fundamentals will be key to the recovery from the pandemic.
Singapore’s general labour market to see uptick in 2021
Labour chief Ng Chee Meng said the job market is expected to show signs for optimism next year, but some sectors would still stay in a slump.
Hong Kong approves latest pandemic relief subsidies
The Legislative Council has approved the latest round of COVID-19 relief subsidies of HK$5.5 billion (US$709 million).
South Korea focuses on job creation for 2021
One of the main aims of South Korea’s 2021 economic policy plan is to prop up the sluggish labour market.
South Korean job-creation programme favours older workers
Younger jobseekers are finding it harder to find openings with the government’s job creation programme.
Japan agency launches platform to help foreign workers
Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has set up the Japan Platform for Migrant Workers towards Responsible and Inclusive Society (JP Mirai) to support foreign workers.
More long-term PMET jobs available in Singapore
The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) said 91,340 job openings are available with most classified as long-term jobs.
India disburses US$1.8 billion in COVID-19 aid to workers
The central government has approved more than 5.2 million claims and disbursed Rs133 billion (US$1.8 billion) to formal sector workers.
Australia proposes food-delivery levy to fund workers’ compensation scheme
A new compensation initiative aims to protect gig economy workers injured or killed while working,
South Korean employment impacted by COVID-19 pandemic
Financial pressures are forcing Koreans to take on a second job, but even such plans are being thwarted by the pandemic.