Singapore must manage wage disparity
Trade and industry minister Chan Chun Sing said equipping workers with skills for the future is crucial in managing wage disparity in the country.
96% of foreign investors still keen in investing in Thailand: Survey
Thailand’s Board of Investment also found that 76.67% of firms will maintain the same level of investment, while 19.33% of businesses intend to increase their investment value.
South Korean graduates face a job market with less openings
The employment rate of university graduates of the class of 2019 fell, while the employment gap between men and women widened.
Taiwan raises monthly minimum wage to NT$24,000 effective January
The wage hike is expected to benefit some 1,558,500 workers, which includes 1,097,700 Taiwanese and 460,800 foreigners.
Thailand relaxes rules on soft loans and mulls monthly long weekends next year
The Bank of Thailand (BoT) has further relaxed rules on a soft loan programme to help SMEs financially.
All foreign workers In Malaysia must be screened for COVID-19 starting Jan 1
The order would see all foreign workers spanning all sectors to undergo mandatory screening.
India revamps quarterly employment surveys
Starting from March next year, the government will launch a more comprehensive All India Quarterly Base Establishment Survey (AIQBES).
China bans discrimination in job recruitments
The new ruling takes effect on March 1, 2021, and will require HR agencies to secure the protection of their candidate’s personal information.
More South Koreans disheartened with job search
As the pandemic worsens an already tightening labour market, an increasing number of South Koreans have abandoned the search for jobs.
Employers of apprentices in Australia could receive A$4,000 of incentives
The government programme aims to support up to 80,000 additional apprenticeships over five years, particularly in industries with skill gaps to fill.
Thailand moves to attract foreign investments
The government plans to revise various regulations in immigration, foreign business and other areas to attract more foreign direct investment next year.
Japan looks to shorten restaurant operating hours through subsidies
The review of the law would allow the government to handout subsidies to bars and restaurants that shorten operation hours.
Japan: Number of job hoppers drop in market hit by pandemic
The number of workers changing jobs has seen a 6.8% drop in the first nine months of this year compared to the same period last year.
Singapore government distributes over S$1 billion in payouts in 2020 to co-fund employee wages
The next tranche of payouts will be in March 2021, for qualifying wage increases in 2020.
Retirement-fund body to provide social security cover for informal workers in India
The EPFO faces the huge challenge to cover 400 million informal workers.
Malaysia disburses RM$12.6 billion in wage subsidies
The nation’s hiring incentive and training assistance programme has also helped 106,443 employees secure employment.
Singapore: “Sharp cliff effect” not likely when government relief schemes cease
Jobs and business are expected to adapt as government support taper off going into 2021.
Thailand to equip students with robotics skills
The country aims to teach 5,200 vocational students per year to meet the estimated future demand of 200,000 robotics-trained workers by 2024.
More unemployed and middle-aged South Koreans start small businesses
To make ends meet, more jobless middle-aged people have turned entrepreneurial and started their own small businesses.
Japanese firms cut down on year-end bonuses
Businesses that were more affected include service companies, which suffered a 13% drop in bonuses, the largest decline since 2009.
Good fundamentals crucial to recovery in the Philippines
The Department of Finance (DoF) said maintaining good fundamentals will be key to the recovery from the pandemic.
Government loan guarantees help SMEs access better funding
Thailand’s central bank has provided 500 billion baht in soft loans for financial institutions to re-lend to SMEs.
Singapore’s general labour market to see uptick in 2021
Labour chief Ng Chee Meng said the job market is expected to show signs for optimism next year, but some sectors would still stay in a slump.
All organisations should have zero tolerance against workplace sexual harassment: Delhi High Court
Sexual harassment is a serious issue that needs to be addressed at all work places urgently and sensitively.
Hong Kong approves latest pandemic relief subsidies
The Legislative Council has approved the latest round of COVID-19 relief subsidies of HK$5.5 billion (US$709 million).
China sets sights on stabilising and expanding job market in 2021
Among the groups identified to receive further government support include university graduates, rural migrant workers and poor urban families.
South Korea focuses on job creation for 2021
One of the main aims of South Korea’s 2021 economic policy plan is to prop up the sluggish labour market.
Malaysia’s high-tech SMEs to benefit from central bank’s RM$1 billion facility
Eligible SMEs under the programme can obtain financing of up to RM$1 million for working capital.
South Korean job-creation programme favours older workers
Younger jobseekers are finding it harder to find openings with the government’s job creation programme.
Australia’s November jobs soar, records 90,000 new employments
The jobless rate eased to 6.8%, the labour participation rate rose to 66.1%, while monthly hours worked rose by 43 million hours.