Australian companies allowed to collect workers’ vaccination status
Under the guidelines, employers should be able to take the necessary precautions should their workers be unvaccinated.
Indonesia distributes Rp$947 billion in wage subsidies
Eligible recipients will receive Rp$1 million for two consecutive months, and will have to be registered with the Workers Social Security Agency.
Beijing awards additional maternity leave for third child
This is on top of an additional 30 days of maternity leave that mothers of a third child were awarded at end-May.
Taiwan sees fall in furloughed workers in first week of August
This was largely due to the improvement in employment in the F&B, wholesale and retail sectors, based on official data.
Reopening of Malaysian businesses depends on risk of COVID-19 infection
Malaysia’s National Security Council is expected to announce the reopening of business sectors on the week of August 9.,
Japan’s summer bonuses fall for third consecutive year
The survey by the Japan Business Federation found that the pandemic impacted businesses in the non-manufacturing sectors the most.
Malaysia creates 320,000 jobs through dedicated jobs programme
To help people find jobs, the government has allocated RM2 billion (US$0.47 billion) under the PenjanaKerjaya programme.
New Zealand’s wage inflation rises 2.1% in the year-to-June quarter
The labour cost index (LCI) of all salary and wages, including overtime pay, increased by 2.1%, showing an increase of 1.6% in the year-to-March 2021 quarter.
South Korea officially sets next year’s minimum wage rate at 9,160 won
The new rate will take effect on 1 January 2022, translating to a monthly wage of 1.91 million won (US$1,672), and will apply across all industries.
New Zealand’s unemployment rate falls to 4% in June quarter
The number of unemployed people declined by 12.4%, marking the largest quarterly percentage fall in unemployment since 1986.
Singapore provides working parents with more benefits
Parents who were previously not eligible for paternity or adoption leave can now qualify for benefits up to S$30,000.
Chinese Premier Li exhorts efforts to improve human resource services
He urged support for skilled talent and the gig economy to foster entrepreneurial capabilities and innovation to build new growth momentum.
Japan considers fresh COVID-19 stimulus package
Lawmakers have since escalated calls for a new relief package, with the idea of an extra budget valued at 30 trillion yen being floated around.
Cambodia approves projects that will create 9,500 jobs
The Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC) has approved eight new projects worth US$71.4 million expected to create over 9,500 jobs.
Malaysian Employers Federation seeks to be part of reopening stakeholders
The Malaysian government aims to fully reopen the economy by October earliest, based around recommendations by the National Recovery Council.
Philippines seeks additional funds to help workers through lockdown
Formal workers will be able to receive a one-time cash assistance of P$5,000 (US$100) under the COVID-19 Adjustment Measure Programme.
Laos urges the unemployed to seek help in finding jobs
The Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare has urged local officials to provide information on the number of unemployed people who need assistance.
SMEs in Malaysia incurred RM$40.7 billion loss in 2020
Some 580,000 businesses, representing 49% of the SME sector, are at risk of failing by October this year if they are not allowed to open up operations by then.
China to create business environment that supports growth of SMEs
Vice-Premier Liu He has also urged entrepreneurs to contribute to China’s economic development by supporting SMEs in the country.,
Malaysia proposes enhanced SOPs for reopening of small businesses
Under the proposal, business owners and workers will have to be fully vaccinated and undergo a weekly COVID-19 swab test.
Cambodia records high female labour participation
Marital status is the most important determinant of women’s employment., with those who are married 38% less likely to be in paid employment.
Queensland government urged to look closer into gender inequality
The gender gap persists in more areas other than pay, such as the number of hours worked, highlights QCOSS.
South Korea battles unemployment woes
Those in their 20s and 30s accounted for 46.8% of the total discouraged workers in June, up 8.2 percentage points from the year before.
Malaysian businesses urged to embrace workplace safety and health
Employers are also advised to set up a dedicated safety department at the workplace and appoint a safety office at the work site.
NSW approves two-hour vaccine leave for public workers
Flexible working arrangements are also encouraged so that vaccine appointments can be scheduled for about 400,000 workers employed by the state.
DOLE seeks to end endo bill in the Philippines
“End of contract” refers to a highly contested form of contractualisation where workers are hired for not more than five months.
Two thirds of global workers want to work flexibly post-COVID-19
Only a minority support the views that people would miss their co-workers, be less productive and become burned out by flexible working.
Japan government panel calls for more support as wages hike
The government has been asked to ensure that the support to events, tourism and F&B from vaccinations lead to a sustained recovery.
Young South Koreans taking job exams hit record high
Some 859,000, or 19.1% of 4.49 million economically inactive people aged 15 to 29 were preparing for job exams in May.
Singapore businesses call for more COVID-19 support
Amid tighter COVID-19 measures, the associations have asked for rental rebates, foreign worker levies and an extension of bank loan moratoriums.