South Korea’s revised labour law allows more flexibile work week
The Ministry of Employment and Labour has increased the period which employers can have more flexibility in implementing the 52-hour work week.
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.
South Korea’s revision of law leaves labourers still vulnerable
The latest revision of the Workplace Harassment Prevention Law (WHPL) fails to protect subcontractors and labourers facing harassment.
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.
Philippines extends lockdown in Manila as COVID-19 cases spike
President Rodrigo Duterte has extended a strict lockdown in Manila and adjacent provinces by at least a week.
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.
Innovate in the face of uncertainty
A new eBook from Indeed highlights why now is the right time for organisations to review their hiring strategies, despite the prevalence of economic uncertainty.
Japan approves law raising retirement age to 70
The Cabinet has approved bills requiring companies to retain their workers until they are 70 years old, effectively raising the retirement age from 65 to 70.
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.
India postpones implementation of new labour codes
The central government has postponed the implementation of four new labour codes originally scheduled to be rolled out on April 1.
Malaysia’s hiring incentive programme aids 36,700 jobseekers
Under the programme, jobseekers who successfully found jobs within a distance of less than 100 km would be given mobility assistance of RM500.
Google prioritises in-person collaboration with office reopening
Google is reopening some of its US offices with employees returning to the office on a voluntary basis from April.
Singapore government incentive boosts hiring of locals
Almost half of the 130,000 hires were not employed at the point of hire and over a quarter had been unemployed for over six months.
Thailand sets up pension fund to support ageing population
The Cabinet has approved the setting up of the National Pension Fund (NPF), a new mandatory retirement savings scheme for formal sector workers.
Malaysia needs comprehensive labour market policies to aid recovery
Malaysia needs to put in continued effort to catalyse economic transformation and create high-skilled jobs, said the central bank governor.
Start-ups in Singapore attracted US$4 billion funding in 2020
Despite challenges posed by the pandemic last year, start-ups in the country attracted S$5.5 billion (US$4 billion) in funding.
More workers in Malaysia to return to the workplace from April
The level of office attendance for civil servants is subjected to the Public Service Department, while the private sector is allowed to have 100% of staff back.
New Zealand raises minimum wage from April 1
Beginning April 1, the minimum hourly wage in the country will increase to NZ$20 (US$14) from the current NZ$18.9 (US$13.2).
Displaced workers hired as contact tracers in the Philippines
The Department of Labour and Employment would provide emergency employment to informal workers who lost their jobs.
48% of wage workers in South Korea willing to be vaccinated
Less than half of salaried workers surveyed are willing to be inoculated against the coronavirus, as uncertainty remains over potential side effects.
India considers yoga to boost workplace productivity
The committee set up to study evidence on the matter comprise members from education and yoga institutions, as well as the corporate sector.
Innovative Startup Act helps new entrepreneurs in the Philippines
The inception of Republic Act 11337 will help entrepreneurs bring their innovative ideas to fruition by providing them with government support.
Hoteliers in Malaysia must pay out service charges collected to staff
The court judgment read that service charge, being monies collected from third parties, does not belong to the hotel, and should be transferred to employees.
Malaysia amending employment law to cater for WFH
The government is proposing a change to the current employment law to support a work-from-home (WFH) culture even in the post-pandemic era.
Australian unions call for minimum wage hike as wage support ends
The wage hike to A$26 a week would allow low-wage workers to spend more, and is an effective way of spurring local businesses.
Taiwan approves bill for workers’ accident insurance in small companies
The bill proposes that companies employing less than five workers must insure their staff for occupational accidents.
Cambodia extends COVID-19 support for businesses and workers
The eighth tranche of financial support will cover businesses in sectors such as textile, aviation and tourism, as well as those in the lower-income group.
Tokyo continues with earlier closing times for F&B businesses
Tokyo and neighbouring prefectures are mandating food-and-beverage businesses to close earlier to reduce the risk of a rebound of pandemic cases.
New Zealand approves bereavement leave for miscarriages and stillbirth
The bill will apply to parents, their partners, and parents planning to have a child through surrogacy or adoption, but will exclude abortion.
1 million pandemic-displaced persons still jobless in South Korea
In February, out of the 1.35 million persons officially unemployed, 999,000 had lost their jobs due to the pandemic.