Malaysian employees make complaints about WFH neglect
The government’s guidelines stipulate that only 60% of employees in selected sectors can report to the office.
Malaysia unveils additional stimulus of RM$150 billion
Some RM$500 million would be allocated to the unemployed, benefiting around 1 million recipients who will each receive RM$500.
Unions urge New South Wales government to introduce vaccination leave
They also called on the Australian government to provide such leave to casual and contract workers.
Two in three SMEs in Malaysia pessimistic on recovery for 2021
A survey revealed that only 16% of SMEs expect their businesses to recover only in 2023, citing movement restrictions as dampening business demand.
Governments urged to build comprehensive WFH policies
Earlier in June, India issued an advisory to encourage WFH for all nursing mothers for at least a year, in jobs where remote work is possible.
India seeks to reduce gender gap in the workplace
India has fallen 28 places to rank 140th among 156 countries in gender gap parity, according to a World Economic Forum report.
Singapore extends deadlines for loan repayments
With continued economic recovery, the central bank intends to move away from industry-wide credit reliefs to more targeted support measures.
Employment a key national priority for Reserve Bank of Australia
The Australian central bank is committed to maintaining a monetary policy that will support the country’s employment and inflation goals.
Most Japan companies plan to conduct workplace COVID-19 vaccinations
To speed up the vaccination rate in the country, a nationwide plan allows companies and universities to run their own vaccination drives.
Cambodian government doles out subsidy to workers
These are workers who were not able to work due the lockdown, and each will receive about US$40 as part of the social assistance programme.
Malaysia remains committed to ensuring business continuity
The government still has a balance of RM$6 billion for its wage subsidy programme, which can guarantee wage payments for 2.7 million workers.
South Korea undecided on minimum wage rate
The Minimum Wage Commission reported that the current minimum hourly wage rate of 8,720 won (US$7.69) is not sufficient to cover the cost of living.
Malaysia turns to e-payrolls to streamline business operations
The digital system will be able to automate and combine various payroll, compensation and deduction functions into one simple application.
Malaysian employers group calls for coordinated COVID-19 enforcement
Enforcement authorities create more confusion, instead of allowing employers to focus on carrying out their duties, said the MEF president.
Australia’s unemployment falls to 5.1% in May 2021
The number of employed women rose by 69,000, while the number of employed men increased by 46,000.
Singapore maintains WFH as default arrangement, extends jobs support
Workers cannot be cross-deployed to multiple worksites, and employers need to implement flexible working hours and staggered start times.
Philippines incentivises vaccinated workers with freebies
Some 1,000 essential workers from Metro Manila and another thousand from other regions are expected to benefit from the programme.
Malaysia manufacturers union call for additional COVID-19 stimulus
This follows after the nation extended its movement control order (MCO) 3.0 for another two weeks from June 15 to June 28.
Cambodia re-skills unemployed and furloughed workers
6,500 workers have received special and been awarded with a dedicated technical and vocational certificate, in preparation for re-employment.
Taiwan firms want tax breaks, COVID-19 vaccines and wage subsidies
72.59% of manufacturers want a business tax break, while 71.25% would like to receive wage subsidies to help them meet their payroll costs, a survey finds.
Many Australian companies unwilling to increase wages
In place of higher wages, companies are instead offering one-off bonuses and flexible working arrangements, says the Reserve Bank of Australia.
Japan’s older workers are motivated to work longer
40.2% of Japanese people aged 60 and above want to work or continue in their jobs, a government survey has found.
Malaysia’s SME Association urges decisive measures to tackle pandemic
It proposed a one-month state of emergency where all economic activities are halted, while essential services continue to operate at 50% capacity.
Bank of Thailand extends debt restructuring measures for SMEs
The debt moratorium has been extended from June 30 to December, and will be applicable to SMEs hit by the economic uncertainty due to the pandemic.
Malaysian companies must shoulder additional costs for vaccination
Companies participating in the programme that sees their employees vaccinated need to pay for the additional costs involved.
Japan pushes for higher wages across regions
Across the country, Japan aims to achieve a national average of ¥1,000 per hour and narrow the pay gap between regions.
Australia’s payroll jobs rise 0.3%, higher growth for male workers
Over the period, payroll jobs showed the largest increase in Queensland and the Northern Territory, each rising by 0.6% and 0.5% respectively.
Companies in Singapore to adopt WFH as default arrangement
Businesses are advised to stagger the start times of employees and implement flexible working hours, and refrain from cross-deploying workers.
Malaysia’s unemployment rate falls to 4.6% in April
The number of unemployed persons in April totalled 742,700 persons, falling by 0.1 percentage point or 10,500 persons month-on-month.
Japan approves flexible paternity leave
Fathers will be able to take a total of four weeks off within eight weeks of their child’s birth, and can choose to split the period into two breaks.