What are the top priorities facing HR leaders in 2021?
HR Tech Fest Connect 2021 will explore the emerging trends and priorities that will define HR and work tech in 2021.
Unemployment benefit surpasses 1 trillion won in South Korea
South Korea’s unemployment allowance payment hit a five-month high in February, surpassing 1 trillion won (US$884 million) again.
Japan’s largest business lobby aims for more women representation
Measures include the implementation of a support programme for women on matters of hiring and promotion to upper management and executive roles.
Hong Kong’s unemployment rate highest since 2004
Hong Kong’s jobless rate climbed to 7.2% in the December-to-February period, up 0.2 percentage points from the November-to-January period.
Malaysia extends WFH accident coverage
Since last year, workers from various sectors have had to work remotely to comply with government measures to contain the spread of COVID-19.
Singapore experiences sharpest fall in employment in more than two decades
Non-resident workers accounted for all of the employment decline, reported Singapore’s MOM.
Building the right skills for the future of work
Learning Technologies Asia 2021 will examine how organisations can develop their learning strategies to stay ahead, innovate and grow.
New wage code in India to change salary structures
Employees, especially those with high allowances, are likely to see a major change in their salary structures if the new wage code kicks in from April 1.
Malaysian employers group says retirement age should not be raised
A blanket increase of the retirement age to 65 and beyond could adversely impact the labour market, causing unemployment among younger workers.
China plans to raise retirement age in phases
Under the country’s five-year plan, the retirement age will be raised in a “phased manner”, said China’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security.
Thailand to launch new phase of co-payment scheme with SMEs
The government is currently preparing additional measures to help local SMEs, which will cover up to 50 to 80% of SMEs various expenses.
SSIA launched the first semiconductor women’s forum
Diversity is key to address the challenges facing the semiconductor industry, the inaugural Semiconductor Women’s Forum highlighted.
Graduate employability drops marginally to 84.4% in Malaysia
Malaysia’s graduate employability rate fell to 84.4% in 2020, down marginally from 86.2% year-on-year, said its Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE).
Over 10,000 employers in Singapore received jobs support in 2020
This help included outreach activities, expanding career conversion programmes, and introducing job transformation programmes.
Taiwan’s employment rose for 8 consecutive months
The number of employees in the industrial and service sectors at the end of January increased by 0.18% or 15,000 to 8.17 million from December 2020.
China to prioritise employment policies, says Premier Li
In its 2021 Government Work Report delivered in early March, the government highlighted its plan to create 11 million jobs in 2021.
Vietnam aims for e-government by 2025
Minister of information and communications Nguyen Manh Hung has said the country plans to implement a digital government by 2025.
Australia extends its loan guarantee scheme
The extended scheme will see the government’s guarantee on loans increase to an 80/20 split with the banks, an increase from the current 50/50 split.
Philippine senators call for faster mass inoculation to reduce unemployment
“Joblessness is a result of ‘jablessness’ … Mass inoculation is the cure to mass unemployment,” senate president pro tempore Ralph Recto has said.
Singapore’s employment rate among women remained stable in 2020
Singapore’s Manpower Minister also highlighted that a welcome change in the workplace would be having more women representation in company boards.
Philippine government shuns hard lockdown
The government is adopting a “granular” approach instead of hard lockdowns to address a stubbornly high unemployment rate.
Gender equality key to boost Cambodia’s economic output: ADB
Women are more likely to be in vulnerable employment and also more likely to be in the category of unpaid contributing family worker.
More New Zealanders cancelling unemployment benefit
The net number of people getting off the unemployment benefit has increased for the first time since the start of the pandemic.
Malaysia prepares to roll out support packages for businesses and citizens
The new initiatives would cater to Malaysians and businesses that are the most affected by the pandemic, said the finance minister.
Cambodia trials work-from-home for one week
Prime Minister Hun Sen has issued a directive for all government institutions and the legislative body to adopt work-from-home practices for one week.
Thailand works on third tranche of co-payment subsidy
The third phase of its handouts would allow for financial assistance for public services, such as public transport costs.
Malaysian businesses still in hiring freeze
Employers are taking a wait-and-see approach when it comes to hiring, says the Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF).
Australia doles out A$1.2 billion in wage subsidies
The scheme will see the government subsidise half of the wages for 70,000 apprentices for 12 months, incentivising businesses to hire younger workers.
Thriving and championing the people agenda in the new now
Through a new webinar series, SAP SuccessFactors will examine how CHROs can drive both workplace digital transformation and employee experience.
Paradigm shift needed to close gender gap in Vietnam’s labour market
The pandemic has not only worsened existing gender inequalities, but also created new ones, said the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in Vietnam.