New Japan PM to prioritise wage raises
Besides prioritising wage raises, the prime minister also said that he plans on a capital gains taxes discussion sometime in the future.
Malaysia to curate programme to help SMEs with cash flow problems
The most common reasons why SME bank loan applications get rejected are insufficient cash flow, an unviable business, and high levels of debt.
Thailand mulls tax cut for skilled foreigners
Foreigners who would qualify for this lower tax rate must work in fields in which Thailand faces a skills shortage, and could work anywhere in the country.
Australia disbursed A$27 billion to firms that did not qualify for subsidies
Some firms posted revenues that did not fall sufficiently enough to qualify, while others posted increased revenues over the period.
Measures to ease SME cash flow called for in Malaysia’s Budget 2022
Businesses are looking at cash flow continuity and survival, especially in industries hit hard by the pandemic, said the SME Association of Malaysia.
Thailand plans to help SMEs retain workers
A new project will help generate new jobs, maintain employment for about 400,000 workers and subsidise the income of over four million workers.
Taiwan decides on minimum wage hike of 5.21%
Labour groups had previously called for a wage hike of 6 to 8%, while business groups urged for the minimum wage not to be increased by over 3%.
Malaysia has disbursed over RM$330 billion of subsidies
As of September 24, the support packages have benefited some 20 million Malaysians, and 2.4 million businesses.
WFH has helped the middle class during the pandemic: PM Modi
The majority of businesses have had to resort to remote working as India went into a hard lockdown from March last year, shutting for three months.
Japan has wage pressure under control, says BOJ governor
Haruhiko Kuroda emphasised the need to create a virtuous cycle in which higher wages give households more purchasing power.
Employment of older workers in Singapore rose in 2020
The employment rate of workers aged 55 to 64 has held steady at over 67%, despite the pandemic, says Singapore’s Manpower Minister.
Australia under pressure to force firms to repay COVID-19 payout
Some 71% of Australians support companies being forced to repay JobKeeper funds if they did not need it, according to a recent opinion survey.
India looks to increase senior citizen employment with jobs portal
It will allow for full-time, part-time, freelance and pro-bono work arrangements, and might include retaining and re-skilling options for older workers.
Australia’s casual workers hit hard by COVID-19 lockdowns
From May to August, there was a loss of 175,000 casual jobs, which represented 72% of all the jobs lost across the labour market.
Malaysia houses skills training under Human Resource Ministry
Training programmes should also be focused based on the skills needed in a particular area, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
Brunei doles out financial support to retrenched, furloughed workers
The new support measures are aimed at helping struggling individuals and businesses stay afloat amid extended COVID-19 restrictions.
Taiwan likely to increase minimum wage next year
The Minister of Economic Affairs has thrown her support behind an increase in the minimum wage, ahead of a final decision on October 8.
Chinese cities offer longer parental leave to promote better family life
In Jiangxi, parents will be entitled to marital leave for 15 days, in addition to the national holidays, while in Anhui, marital leave is being extended by three days.
New Zealand to roll out fourth wage subsidy package
The subsidies will be available to companies country-wide that experience or expect a 40% fall in revenue during the fortnight to October 11.
Taiwan rights group calls for more paternity leave for expecting fathers
It called on lawmakers to pass proposed amendments to an act that would allow male employees seven days of paid pre-paternity leave.
South Korea trails behind in women employment
The country was one out of seven other member countries with employment rates of women staying under 60%, according to the OECD.
Cambodia raises minimum wage for textiles and footwear workers
The amount is less than the US$12 hike sought for by major worker unions, and has been opposed by the Garment Manufacturers Association of Cambodia.
Malaysia set to focus on digitalisation of businesses
The government is aiming for all research, development, commercialisation, and innovation initiatives to be aligned with national interests.
South Korea to review new workplace disaster law
Under a new law, business owners and CEOs could face harsher sentences of a minimum one-year prison sentence or up to 1 billion won in fines.
Workers in Singapore with positive ART test must work from home
If their jobs do not allow them to work from home, then employers must treat the period of absence as paid sick leave, said authorities.
Japan’s elderly job agencies see record fall in registrations
The roles offered typically involve short hours, and include tasks like weeding and cleaning that bring in an average monthly pay of less than ¥40,000.
Over 1.2 million jobseekers found jobs in the Philippines since January
Pre-pandemic, the public employment service office was facilitating over 2 million workers into jobs, said the Department of Labour and Employment (DOLE).
China’s Tianjin city to extend paternity leave
Authorities in the city have launched a revision on the local regulations of population and family planning.
Australia’s casual employment law set to kick in end-September
Changes to the Fair Work Act were passed in March, allowing casual staff the right to convert to permanent employment after 12 months of work.
Thailand approves 27 billion baht COVID-19 relief fund
Support will also be extended for an existing scheme that encourages domestic travel until end-February as the pandemic situation eases.