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.
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.