Companies in the Philippines urged to reskill and upskill workers
The government is focusing on sector development, identifying skills that are in demand and needed by industries as they adapt to pandemic-driven changes.
Companies in Japan urged to innovate by business groups
Japan’s major business organisations want companies to spur economic growth, and to view the pandemic as a business opportunity.
Firms in the Philippines encouraged to implement WFH
Government agencies also urged companies to provide sufficient assistance for individuals who are undergoing quarantine and isolation.
China implements greater tax cuts and extends support for businesses
The government will also be increasing deductions for research and development expenses under businesses’ income tax filings.
South Korea aims to attract more skilled workers
A fast-track visa system for foreigners with a master or PhD degree in science and IT will guarantee legal status during their job search period.
South Korea’s number of companies rise 18% over past five years
As of end-2020, the country registered a total of 6,013,000 businesses, an increase of 17.8% from five years earlier.
More support urged for Singapore’s gig workers
It was also proposed that platform companies should provide a baseline level of coverage for work injuries sustained by these workers.
Taiwan increases paid leave for expectant mothers
The amended law also allows spouses of pregnant women to take up to seven days of paid leave to attend prenatal appointments with their wives.
Jakarta’s minimum wage hike faces backlash
The Indonesian Employers’ Association has said that it was considering a lawsuit to block the governor’s proposition of a larger increase.
Smaller firms in Japan can transfer costs to larger businesses
This is to prevent larger firms from taking advantage of their size and setting unfairly low prices when engaging in business with subcontractors.
4.7 million displaced workers supported in the Philippines
Altogether, the government has disbursed PHP26.1 billion worth of social protection assistance under various programmes.
Cambodia looks to create over 150,000 jobs through new investments
The country has approved 195 new investment projects and 43 production expansion requests that would provide more jobs.
Majority of South Koreans harbour pessimistic job outlooks
At least one in five young South Koreans, aged 15 to 29, were job searching as of October, according to data from Statistics Korea.
Singapore bars unvaccinated workers from workplace from January 15
Workers who are partially vaccinated will be granted a grace period of up till January 31 to complete their full vaccination regime.
Employment rate for Japan’s fresh graduates in 2021 falls again
The number of fresh graduates who landed jobs fell to 432,790, with employment offers declining in some sectors due to the spread of COVID-19.
Australia pumps A$252.5 million into digital economy
The government plans to consult with industry, as well as the education and training sectors on ways to meet the country’s digital needs.
Taiwan’s unemployment rate falls to 3.66% in November
The number of first-time jobseekers and workers who quit their jobs fell by 4,000 over the same period, as Taiwan’s economy continues to recover.
Future of remote work will depend on nature of industry and job role
The cost savings of remote working are attractive as employers do not have to pay rent for office space, building utilities, and compensation for transport.
Singapore extends COVID-19 recovery grant to December 31 next year
Applicants who did not receive support under the grant this year can receive up to three tranches in 2022 should they meet the requirements.
Hong Kong’s unemployment improves in September-November quarter
Across most sectors, the unemployment rates fell in the September-November quarter as compared with the preceding three month period.
Singapore doles out over S$400 million under Jobs Support Scheme
Supporting the wages of over 380,000 local workers, this brings the total amount of JSS support to over S$28 billion since the scheme was introduced.
Women and youth found to bear brunt of job losses amid pandemic
These workers were more likely to lose their jobs because they dominated sectors that were hard-hit, like hotels and restaurants, wholesale, and retail.
Japan enacts additional budget to fund economic recovery package
To cover most of the supplementary budget, the government will have to issue new bonds worth 22.1 trillion yen by March 2021.
China aims for one million innovative SMEs by 2025
It also aims to cultivate 10,000 “little giant” firms, or smaller businesses still in their early stage of development that focus on high-end technologies.
Workers find WFH beneficial to wellbeing and performance
The ideal amount of telework is two to three days in a week, an allocation optimal to balance the benefits and costs of remote working.
Hiring incentives help retain local workers in Malaysia
As of December 3, some 15,097 employers and 116,316 employees have received PenjanaKerjaya 1.0 benefits worth RM639.3 million.
Unemployment rate in Australia falls as pandemic restrictions eased
The easing of restrictions in New South Wales and Victoria impacted the national jobs figures significantly, with employment rising in both states.
November saw employment continue to rise in South Korea
However, jobs addition fell below 600,000 for the first time in three months, which was attributed to the resurgence of the COVID-19 outbreak.
Thailand expects digital finance to boost economic growth in 2022
The digital finance service is part of a smart payment infrastructure connecting government agencies, lenders and businesses with digital technology.
Younger workers in South Korea face greater employment woes
Workers who had graduated from college or high school less than a year ago were found to face more difficulty finding jobs.