Singapore suffered significant employment losses due to COVID-19
By Q3’21, the total number of people employed had fallen by 196,400, of which 113,500 jobs were lost during the circuit breaker period in Q2’21.
South Korea to use excess tax revenue to support small businesses
Small businesses will be compensated for their incurred losses because of COVID-19 restrictions, although some businesses are exempted from this.
Guidelines for unvaccinated, on-site workers issued in the Philippines
A “no work, no pay” scheme should only serve as a last resort for employers when dealing with their unvaccinated workers.
Concerns raised over South Korea’s new workplace disaster law
Some 29.2% of foreign investment companies with over 300 employees felt most uneasy about the introduction of the workplace disaster law.
Taiwan’s unemployment rate hits 6-month low in October
In October, a total of 456,000 people were out of work, down 15,000 from the previous month, as the domestic employment market continues to improve.
Pay gap widens between regular and non-regular workers in South Korea
The proportion of non-regular workers in the country has also been increasing, rising by 5.5 percentage points from 2017 to 2021.
Singapore to cut support for businesses as COVID-19 curbs eased
Wage support to businesses in sectors hit hard by the pandemic, such as F&B, retail, and tourism, will be lowered from 25% to 10%.
Japan announces US$490 billion stimulus package
The package has been reported to include cash support for small companies, as well as pay raises for nurses and care workers.
Taiwan awards civil servants 4% wage hike
The move is expected to benefit 820,000 military personnel, public school teachers and civil servants, and 200,000 contract workers.
Singapore’s workforce urged to transform to face new job challenges
As the labour market changes, it should serve more employees by expanding its reach and addressing workers’ holistic need, said Singapore’s Deputy PM.
Malaysia steps up protection for self-employed and gig workers
From 2022, the bulk of the cost of public insurance costs for the self-employed and gig workers will be paid by the state.
China created 11.33 million jobs in urban areas in first ten months of 2021
China’s surveyed urban unemployment rate averaged 5.1% from January to October this year, as more young people gained employment.
New Zealand urged to increase minimum wage for essential workers
The Council of Trade Unions’ call to increase the minimum wage to NZ$22.75 is in line with the current living wage.
Japanese minister calls for firms with strong earnings to increase salaries
Chairman of the Japan Business Federation also backed the call, encouraging profit-earning firms to increase workers’ wages.
Indonesia’s minimum wage to increase by at least 1.09% in 2022
The final decision on the increase will be decided by the governor of each province, and based on the data published by Statistics Indonesia.
Vaccination for on-site workers to be mandated in the Philippines
The new measures will take effect on December 1, and those who choose to be unvaccinated will have to shoulder the cost of COVID-19 tests.
Amendments to Malaysia’s Employment Act “falls short”
Although maternity leave has been extended from 60 to 90 days, this is less than the International Labour Organisation’s standard of 98 days.
Japan PM promises stimulus package for pandemic relief
Cash payouts worth 100,000 yen (US$884) each will be delivered to students, temporary workers and low-income households hit hardest by COVID-19.
Fully vaccinated job applicants in the Philippines given advantage
A proposed new policy will grant employers the discretion to hire application based on their vaccination status.
Malaysia looks into law to protect gig workers
So far, gig workers only receive social protection under the Self-Employment Social Security Scheme under the Social Security Organisation.
Japan business lobby wants commuting target to be revised
The government had earlier urged businesses to help achieve its target of cutting commuters by 70% and to support telework as an alternative.
Malaysia’s minimum wage review slated for completion by year-end
The minimum wage rate was raised to RM$1,200 from RM$1,100 previously, and took effect in February 2020 across 57 cities and towns.
South Korea registers job growth for eighth consecutive month
The unemployment rate for young adults, aged between 15 and 29, fell by 2.7 percentage points year-to-year to 5.6%.
Malaysia’s minimum wage subsidy excludes gig economy workers
The government does, however, provide social security protection to the self-employed, which covers gig workers.
Wage gap by work sector widens in South Korea
The sector that saw the largest wage jump include tech firms, while the salaries of workers in the tourism and aviation sectors took a plunge.
Largest business lobby in Japan calls for more female worker support
Keidanren aims to reduce the number of women who are forced to quit their jobs to care for their children or nursing care for their parents.
Taiwan to disburse wage subsidies to help businesses
Businesses that have seen their revenue decline by at least 20% in September and October from the same period last year will be eligible for the wage subsidies.
Redefining the role of the CHRO in building the future organisation
HR leaders will have to adapt to digitalisation, balance empathy at work, and promote smart risk-taking in the workplace.
Japan’s top union leader vows for better worker wages and conditions
Tomoko Yoshino said that gender inequality is also interwoven into Japan’s tax and pension system, and is part of a wider problem on workers’ rights.
Malaysia’s bolstered policies key to speed up industry transformation
The Malaysia Productivity Corporation says that a conducive business environment is crucial to boosting productivity and competitiveness.