Philippines to dole out compensation to COVID-19-positive workers
To receive the compensation, workers will need to present a certificate of employment, an RT-PCR test, and accompanying medical records.
Hong Kong lawmakers renew calls for more COVID-19 support
Business sector legislators have called for short-term support for the unemployed in the form of HK$6,000 per month for six months.
Australia’s unions push back against calls for minimum wage delay
Major employer groups have argued for the Fair Work Commission to either impose a pay freeze or delay any pay hikes until February 2022.
Japanese companies use various approaches when recruiting
A survey carried out from late March to early April saw 40 companies saying that they have increased or plan to increase mid-career hiring.
One of five part-timers in South Korea want to work longer
The number of individuals who worked less than 36 hours a week reached 5.9 million last month, marking an increase of 836,000, or 16.6% year-on-year.
Taiwan cabinet approves measures to attract foreign talent
The amendment to the law would also allow foreign professionals to enjoy greater tax concessions, from the current three years to five years.
South Korea’s minimum wage under debate
The decision has to be made before August 5, which is the legal deadline for the Ministry of Employment and Labour to deliver an official notice to the public.
Indian government advises staff to WFH
Various departments have asked their employees to report at staggered timings, while those living in COVID-19 containment zones are told to stay home.
Stay-at-home dads reached an all-time high in South Korea
Fathers in their 30s and 40s comprised 74.5% of stay-at-home dads, while those aged 60 and above comprised almost 18%.
Singapore to improve employment opportunities for disabled people
Some of the plans to help those with disabilities have already been rolled out in 2020, while more will be rolled out progressively from the second half of 2021.
Employers in Malaysia failed to meet standard housing requirements
Offences include uncertified accommodation, non-compliance with local authority laws and not providing rest and dining areas to employees.
Malaysia boosts social enterprise growth
Through a new initiative, the government aims to provide a level playing field for social impact firms by supporting their job creation and innovation efforts.
New Zealand sees employment numbers grow
Job vacancies have also increased across all industries, with the highest growth in healthcare, manufacturing, construction and hospitality.
South Korean workers need to learn how to work with machines
South Korea’s labour minister urged employees to be more adaptable to work in a fast-changing and high-tech environment.
Most employers in Singapore looked beyond qualifications when hiring
71.5% of employers highlighted that relevant work experience and skills matter more as this allows the candidate to perform the job almost immediately.
Hong Kong to relax social distancing measures for vaccinated groups
The government also plans to provide F&B businesses an additional tranche of subsidies under the Anti-Epidemic Fund.
South Korean government urged to enact nationwide sickness programme
Labour activists are calling for more to be done for workers who experience adverse symptoms after receiving their COVID-19 vaccination shots.
Hong Kong’s tourism workers will be offered 2,000 vaccination-related jobs
This is part of Hong Kong’s Job Creation Scheme, which aims to create 30,000 temporary jobs in the public and private sectors over the next two years.
Malaysia’s HR Development Fund aims to provide 50,000 job placements
It aims to work with employers, employers’ associations and career strategic partners nationwide to achieve its job target.
Singapore’s career attachment programmes benefits jobseekers
Among the 9,500 trainees placed across 2,500 firms, four in five are recent graduates, while the remaining are mid-career jobseekers.
Philippines disbursed US$215.9 million in maternity benefits in 2020
The level of disbursement was almost double the average annual release of US$126.79 million, before the maternity leave law was expanded in 2019.
Cambodia’s public servants risk losing jobs if they refuse vaccinations
While many civil servants and armed forces personnel had come forward for their jabs, there are some who do not want to receive inoculations.
Unemployment in Malaysia dropped slightly to 4.8% in February
The sectors of wholesale and retail trade, education, and human health and social work saw a continuous increase in employment.
Beijing colour codes city buildings to show worker vaccination levels
The move taps on a system the government introduced last year that requires people to show a green code before they can enter most public venues.
Business sentiment strong among Singapore SMEs
The sentiment index for Q2’21 and Q3’21 hit 49.9, rising from an index of 48.2 in the previous quarter, marking the highest reading since COVID-19 began.
Japan saw real wages grow in February
Inflation-adjusted real wages, a key measure of households’ purchasing power, rose 0.2% year-on-year in February, according to the labour ministry.
Malaysia announces RM100 million in training and salary incentives
The initiative, by the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), is aimed at boosting the digital business industry and to nurture quality tech talent.
Malaysia’s unemployment rate expected to ease to 4.3% in 2021
Despite the improved outlook, the labour market is constrained by factors such as
a mismatch between qualifications and job opportunities.
Mumbai orders WFH amid COVIF-19 case surge
All non-essential services like malls, beauty salons and places of worship were ordered to shut operations from Monday.
IMF urges governments to sustain wage subsidies until COVID-19 eases
Uncertainties about the pandemic and the situation forward means that the phase-out of such support measures will be complicated, said the IMF.