Union in Taiwan wants subsidised childcare leave for parents

Current guidelines states that a class should stop in-person activities if one student tests positive for the COVID-19 virus.
Shaping the future of work in ASEAN

As part of HR Tech Festival Asia Online 2021, the ASEAN Future of Work conference track will examine how to create a more inclusive workforce in the region.
Malaysia’s 2022 budget should include measures to help SMEs recover

The Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF) has urged help to be provided for SMEs in next year’s budget to enable employers to create more jobs.
SME business sentiment in Hong Kong improves

The improved business sentiment has been attributed to the global economic recovery and the improved local COVID-19 situation.
Facebook group in Australia opposes job posts requiring jabs

A Facebook group “Jobs Without Jabs Australia” with 20,000 members is opposing the vaccination requirement for jobs.
Almost half of South Korean listed firms cut workforce in H1’21

The proportion of listed companies that performed job cuts was down 51.4% from a year earlier, riding on expectations for an economic recovery.
HRM Asia Readers’ Choice Awards 2021: Last days to vote!

Make your vote count as HRM Asia Readers’ Choice Awards 2021 recognises the best HR solutions and services providers in the market today.
9.8% of Japanese companies plan to hire more regular workers

About 9.8% of companies intends to hire more regular staff, while 3.0% will cut down on such hires when the country’s minimum wage is raised.
China urges tech firms to protect gig worker rights

Regulators met with Chinese tech giants to discuss efforts to protect the basic rights of gig workers, following new government guidelines.
Malaysia needs more highly skilled workers for competitive edge

The Science, Technology and Innovation Minister said at least 45% of the workforce needs to be highly skilled for Malaysia to compete on the global stage.
South Korea aims to create over 80,000 green jobs by 2025

The government also aims to create 4,500 green venture companies specialising in eco-friendly alternative materials and renewable energy.
Clusters at Japanese workplaces due to inadequate anti-COVID measures

Japan’s health ministry has found that clusters at workplaces were due to insufficient anti-COVID measures.
New Zealand doles out additional payments to support businesses

To qualify, companies must suffer at least a 30% fall in revenue over seven days as a result of being under alert level 2 or higher.
Leader of business groups opposes raising minimum wage in Taiwan

Taiwan’s Chinese National Association of Industry and Commerce (CNAIC) has asked for the minimum wage for 2022 not to be raised.
NSW expands COVID-19 test and isolation programme

Unions have lauded the decision to provide payments to workers over 17 years of age if certain conditions are met.
Indonesia launches digital literacy programme for SMEs

The Ministry of Communications and Informatics has launched a programme to step up digitalisation among SMEs.
Japan’s nominal wages in July rise by 1%

The rise reflected an increase in non-regular pay, which declined last year due to a fall in overtime working hours amid the pandemic.
Thailand approves US$518 million of COVID-19 support

The funds will financially support companies and employees affected by the latest measures to contain the latest spike in COVID-19 cases.
Record number of Australians are working at least two jobs

The largest increase in workers holding multiple jobs include the sectors of administrative and support services, as well as arts and recreation.
Malaysia to focus on job and income recovery in 2022 budget

The 2022 budget will focus on job and income recovery and provide more targeted assistance to boost socio-economic resilience.
Singapore mandates firms to notify worker layoffs

From November 1, all businesses in the city-state will have to notify the Ministry of Manpower of all retrenchments carried out.
Cambodian unions call for 11.6% increase to minimum wage

Representatives of 17 national unions have agreed to ask for a US$22.20 increase to the minimum wage for textile, garment and footwear workers for 2022.
Australia’s online job ads fall 5.6% in August

The sharpest decline in job ads in the month were registered in areas currently under lockdown, with falls registered in NSW, ACT and Victoria.
Maintaining organisational agility with a hybrid workforce

With the emergence of the hybrid workforce, organisations have more questions to answer than ever before when it comes to talent management
HRM Asia Readers’ Choice Awards 2021: Voting closes soon!

Make your vote count as HRM Asia Readers’ Choice Awards 2021 recognises the best HR technology solutions providers in the market today.
Malaysian SMEs appeal for more staff to be allowed to return to work

Employers are urging the government to allow people who have received their first vaccine dose to get back to work to prevent their businesses from shuttering.
Khmer Enterprise in Cambodia signs agreement to support SMEs

Under the agreement, SMEs and startups in Cambodia will receive support in the form of expertise and resources.
Vietnam launches digital-transformation programme

The digital-transformation programme is designed to help enterprises, cooperatives, and household businesses in their digitalisation efforts.
Singapore’s unemployment rate edges up by 0.2% in July

The resident unemployment rate increased from 3.5% to 3.7%, while the citizen unemployment rate rose from 3.7% to 3.9%.
New Zealand temp staff unable to access wage subsidy scheme

The issue of recruitment agencies not being able to access governmental wage subsidies is being examined and discussed.