To boost wages, Australia’s jobless rate needs to fall
Before interest rates are raised, the unemployment rate will likely need to fall to between the “low 4s” and “high 3s”, said RBA deputy governor Guy Debelle.
Philippine senator files bill for 335-billion-peso stimulus package
Senator Manny Pacquiao has filed a bill calling for a 335-billion-peso (US$6.9 billion) stimulus package in the Senate.
Singapore to hand out $3 billion in wage subsidies
Employers will receive up to 50% support for the first S$4,600 of gross monthly wages paid from September to December 2020.
Redefining the next era of work
A new survey by the Institute for Corporate Productivity aims to inform decisions made by thousands of organisations and business leaders now and in the years ahead.
Women trade union group in Malaysia calls for 98 days of maternity leave
Wanita Industrial Malaysia (WIM), a trade union coalition representing female workers, has urged the government to mandate 98 days of maternity leave.
Japan sets aside 2.2 trillion yen to support businesses and low-income groups
The government will adopt measures to help medium and larger-sized companies boost capital funds.
Singapore adopts flexible and hybrid work model
Remote working will be scaled down in the South-East Asian country as more employees are allowed to return to the workplace.
Upskilling and reskilling key in shaping the future of L&D
Day 2 of Learning Technologies Asia 2021 saw leading companies share key insights on creating successful L&D strategies.
Workplace redesign on the cards for Singapore’s financial institutions
To prepare for workplaces in a post-COVID era, banks and financial institutions are redesigning their workplaces and adopting flexible work arrangements.
Thailand unveils new support measures for pandemic-stricken firms
This includes 250 billion baht worth of soft loans for SMEs that will help them access credit, and 100 billion baht for loan repayments.
Cambodia to launch job website to raise employment level
The Ministry of Labour is launching WORKNET, a new job website designed to help Cambodians find jobs amid the pandemic.
More South Korean women in their 30s drop out of the workforce
The labour force participation rate of women peaks between ages 25 and 29, before it plunges in the 30s as women leave work to care for their children.
L&D driving organisational growth in a new world of work
Day 1 of Learning Technologies Asia 2021 highlighted issues such as reskilling and upskilling, as well as how organisations need to rethink employee engagement.
Japan plans to increase minimum hourly wages to 1,000 yen
Prime minister Yoshihide Suga has said he targets to raise the country’s average minimum hourly wage to 1,000 yen (US$9.2) as soon as possible.
Philippines launches online information and comms programme
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has launched a Q&A educational video series – Sagot Ka Ng DOLE.
Seoul scraps mandatory COVID-19 screening for foreign workers
Seoul and the neighbouring province of Gyeonggi were among the local governments ordering all of its foreign workers to be tested for COVID-19.
India sees over 800,000 employed in formal work in January
Official data also showed that the net payroll additions hit 1.11 million in January as employment continues to rise.
Thailand stock exchange partners government to upskill students, boost startups and SMEs
It aims to promote sustainable business operations in all dimensions of the capital market industry.
Singapore to disburse S$940 million in wage credits by end-March
The government will co-fund 15% of qualifying wage increases given in 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020 to more than 800,000 Singaporean employees.
OECD urges Indonesia to equip workers with digital skills
A new survey by the OECD recommends that the country step up its vocational education and adult training, with a focus on digital skills.
Record high number of jobseekers entering workforce in South Korea
The number of people preparing for employment has hit a record high last month in a pandemic-affected labour market.
Leading change through an emphasis on driving the human experience
Through a new webinar series, SAP SuccessFactors will examine how CHROs can drive both workplace digital transformation and employee experience.
Australia’s jobless rate dips to 5.8% to pre-pandemic levels
The unemployment rate fell in February to pre-pandemic levels amid the rollout of vaccination and fiscal stimulus stimulating the economy.
Philippines senator backs bill to ensure workers’ health insurance
The senator’s call came after Quezon City’s local government confirmed that the rise in COVID-19 cases was also stemming from the workplace.
Vietnam budgets US$260 million to train workers prone to unemployment
To upskill workers likely to lose their jobs due to COVID-19, the labour ministry has proposed a programme to train them.
World Bank urges Malaysia to increase female labour participation
The development model that worked in the past for Malaysia is no longer enough for it to navigate to the next stage of its development, it added.
Japanese employers offer lowest salary increase in 8 years
Companies are offering the lowest pay rises in eight years – signaling an end to former prime minister Shinzo Abe’s stimulus policies.
Private sector workers should receive free vaccinations in the Philippines
Workers who refuse to be vaccinated shall not be discriminated against in terms of tenure, promotion, training, pay, and other benefits.
China’s unemployment rate at 13.1% for younger labour population
The jobless rate for those 16 to 24 years old was 13.1% in February, more than double the national urban unemployment rate of 5.5%.
Malaysia unveils RM20 billion stimulus package
This marks the sixth round of support packages unveiled since the pandemic, bringing the total sum of all packages rolled out to RM340 billion.