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.
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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
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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.
Singapore explores more pervasive use of COVID-19 tests at the workplace
Authorities are looking into the wider use of antigen rapid tests at the workplace and will be establishing further testing guidelines.
Australian senate passes workplace sexual harassment bill
The Sex Discrimination and Fair Work (Respect at Work) Amendment Bill of 2021 protects all Australians from workplace sexual harassment.
Malaysia’s SME association against GST implementation in 2022
The association warned that SMEs were in their most vulnerable stage and would likely shut down if the economy remained closed.
Government to help SMEs get digitally equipped in Thailand
The Ministry of Commerce is providing assistance to SMEs to be digitally equipped to get through the pandemic.
New Zealand considers additional COVID-19 support for firms
Over 25,000 businesses have signed an Auckland Business Chamber petition calling for the provision of more financial support.