Japan’s largest business lobby sees blanket wage hikes as “unrealistic”
The priority should be to protect jobs rather than a uniform pay hike, it said as it unveiled guidelines to the upcoming wage talks.
Thailand’s Labour Ministry compiles job openings amid fresh outbreak
To help workers laid off due to the recent resurgence of COVID-19, the Labour Ministry has compiled a list of 58,151 job openings.
Australian companies deploy hybrid work model
Australia’s Commonwealth Bank intends to keep a hybrid model of staff working from the office and home.
Singapore’s employment outlook remains cloudy even as economy mends
Though the overall unemployment rate is falling, hiring is not likely to surge in the short term.
Malaysia rolls out RM15 billion economic package
Initiatives include a one-off monetary assistance for taxi and bus drivers, and a special three-month electric bills discount for six business sectors.
India to launch seed fund for tech startups
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the government will initiate a seed fund for startups of Rs10 billion (US$136.3 million).
Crucial to protect workers’ rights as teleworking becomes the norm: UN
Problems facing workers who work from home and their employers need greater attention, including the rights and risks involved, says the ILO.
Flexi work arrangements can improve employees’ mental health
In Singapore, as more employees head back to the office, giving them more flexibility over work arrangements can boost their mental well-being.
Malaysian unions urge government to prevent retrenchments as MCO starts
The Malaysian Trades Union Congress had previously proposed emergency employment laws to be enacted to prevent businesses from retrenching workers.
Working-age population projected to shrink in Japan and South Korea
An OECD report has calculated that by 2050, Japan’s working-age population would have declined to 61.8%.
Cambodia sees US$100 million co-financing scheme fund for SMEs fully subscribed
The average loan taken by SMEs amounted to US$122,514.
Thailand to roll out US$7 billion stimulus package
Finance minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith has proposed for 210 billion baht (US$7 billion) to be given as cash handouts to individuals and companies.
Businesses in Japan that violate shutdown orders could face fines
The amendment to the special measures law is set to be enacted by the Japanese government in early February.
Singapore seeks to raise wages of bottom-rung workers
Senior minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam said the country needs to raise the salaries of workers at the bottom of the ladder.
Job openings in Australia rise 23% in November
The increase in vacancies reflect the pace of recovery in labour demand in the second half of the year, says labour stats chief.
Taiwan’s employment rose for sixth consecutive month
Employment figures in the industrial and service sectors increased for the sixth consecutive month in November.
Ho Chi Minh city plans to add 3,600 workers to public workforce
The city government has requested permission from the Ministry of Home Affairs to employ 10,700 civil servants in 2021 instead of the 7,100 approved earlier.
Japan’s education ministry posts job openings at schools for pandemic-hit workers
Corporate workers can now search for jobs at schools in a new section of the education ministry’s website.
Thailand approves more measures to soften COVID-19 blow
The measures include soft loans and lower utility bills, and aim to boost liquidity for businesses, provide debt relief and unemployment support.
Some Malaysian employers cover up status of staff infected by COVID-19
Fearing that their businesses will not be able to operate at full capacity, some employers remained silent about staff testing positive for the virus.
Employers should hire and train mature workers, eliminate bias
The country aims to tap into the Singapore workforce, instead of relaxing its foreign worker policy, says minister.
Jobs available for Cambodian migrant workers returning from Thailand
The National Employment Agency (NEA) is preparing 20,000 jobs in the kingdom for migrant workers returning from Thailand.
Malaysia requires employers to provide quarantine centres for foreign workers
Employers will also be responsible for medical costs and ensuring the welfare of their foreign workers.
South Korea launches third round of emergency cash reliefs
The finance ministry plans to hand out 4.1 trillion won (US$3.7 billion) in emergency cash to people affected by the third wave of the coronavirus.
Japan urges businesses to promote teleworking
The government is requesting companies to cut the number of commuting workers by 70% with alternatives like teleworking.
Hong Kong incentivises companies to employ local graduates
Hong Kong’s government is offering companies a grant of HK$10,000 (US$1,290) for each recent college graduate they employ.
New loan guarantees provide Thai SMEs with more financial flexibility
The new loan programmes have a combined loan guarantee of 40 billion baht, and will be rolled out through six financial institutions.
Singapore enterprises received US$13.2 billion worth of loans in 2020
Enterprise Singapore (ESG) aided businesses by loaning S$17.4 billion (US$13.2 billion) last year, as many companies struggled because of the pandemic.
Taiwan sees weekly drop in furloughed workers
The government expects the number to drop further, with the upcoming Lunar New Year boosting domestic demand and businesses.
Funding from FDI to create high-skilled jobs in Malaysia
The government is partnering international venture capital fund managers to create jobs, said Malaysia’s finance minister.