Singapore businesses told to prepare for life with endemic COVID-19
As Singapore prepares to reopen its economy, businesses must play their part to facilitate this process, says Minister Gan Kim Yong.
Malaysian businesses urged to embrace workplace safety and health
Employers are also advised to set up a dedicated safety department at the workplace and appoint a safety office at the work site.
Vietnam provides aid to pandemic-affected workers
To buffer the impact of pandemic lockdowns, the government has been providing help to workers via its various policies.
NSW approves two-hour vaccine leave for public workers
Flexible working arrangements are also encouraged so that vaccine appointments can be scheduled for about 400,000 workers employed by the state.
Indonesia plans wage subsidies for workers
The Ministry of Manpower is preparing the policy for distribution of the BSU wage subsidy programme for workers in 2021.
DOLE seeks to end endo bill in the Philippines
“End of contract” refers to a highly contested form of contractualisation where workers are hired for not more than five months.
10-day sick leave rule takes effect in New Zealand
The legislation doubling the minimum number of sick leave from five to 10 took effect on Saturday, July 24, for employees in New Zealand.
Two thirds of global workers want to work flexibly post-COVID-19
Only a minority support the views that people would miss their co-workers, be less productive and become burned out by flexible working.
Singapore announces S$1.1-billion support package
The support package will help workers and businesses affected by the country’s reversion to stricter pandemic restrictions.
Japan government panel calls for more support as wages hike
The government has been asked to ensure that the support to events, tourism and F&B from vaccinations lead to a sustained recovery.
Australia launches training scheme to boost digital skills
The federal government is testing new approaches to design qualifications and training that meet the skills needed for a job in the digital sector.
Young South Koreans taking job exams hit record high
Some 859,000, or 19.1% of 4.49 million economically inactive people aged 15 to 29 were preparing for job exams in May.
What are the key HR strategies of 2022?
HR Tech Festival Asia Online 2021’s lineup of HR thought leaders will provide new ideas and key insights to build HR’s roadmap for 2022.
Australian employer groups call for flexibility in workplace laws
Major employer groups have called for revived powers to reduce workers’ hours, stand staff down and direct people to take annual leave.
Singapore businesses call for more COVID-19 support
Amid tighter COVID-19 measures, the associations have asked for rental rebates, foreign worker levies and an extension of bank loan moratoriums.
Vietnam offers interest-free loans for companies to pay salaries
Companies can now apply for interest-free loans to pay furloughed staff and salaries from the Vietnam Bank for Social Policies.
China’s gig economy workers encouraged to form unions
The state labour union voiced out that gig workers should have stronger worker protection and labour rights.
Singapore announces new support package as social curbs tightened
Targeted support will be provided for businesses and workers affected by the latest tightened safe management measures from July 22 to August 18.
Fewer women will rejoin workforce than men amid COVID-19 recovery
In 2021, there will be 13 million fewer employed women as compared to 2019, said the International Labour Organisation.
Young South Koreans take 10 months to find their first job
Statistics Korea’s data showed that it takes an average of 10.1 months for Koreans aged between 15 and 29 to land their first job.
Hong Kong’s unemployment rate in Q2 2021 falls to 5.5%
Some 213,000 people are still out of jobs, but this is 20,200 fewer than the preceding quarter, as Hong Kong’s labour market continues to recover.
How HR is taking the lead in building the future of work
The role of the CHRO is more critical than ever before, as organsiations continue to build their roadmap for 2022.
Cambodia gives cash subsidies to pandemic-affected workers
Employees in the garment and tourism industries whose employment contracts have been suspended can expect cash subsidies.
South Korean business lobby set to challenge new minimum wage rate
This comes after the country’s minimum wage commission set the new minimum wage rate at 9,160 won (US$7.94) per hour for 2022.
Hong Kong saw 56,253 newly registered companies in H1 2021
In the first half this year, 56,253 local companies have registered their businesses, bringing the total number to 1.38 million.
Remote working in Japan falls in July amid telework fatigue
The proportion of people working completely remotely in a recent week in July stood at 11.6%, down from 18.5% in April.
Philippine government prefers hybrid work model
A group of businessmen has urged the Inter-Agency Task Force to permit employees to go back to their workplaces once 80% of workers are vaccinated.
China creates 6.98 million urban jobs in H1’21
The surveyed urban unemployment rate averaged at 5.2%, down 0.6 percentage points year-on-year, as China’s economic recovery continues to gain pace.
Self-employment among women in New Zealand rises
The country’s statistics department Stats NZ said the number of self-employed women increased 13.9% year-on-year to 143,500 in March.
Australia’s unemployment rate falls to 4.9% in June
However, underemployment crept up by 0.5% to 7.9% as the economy responded to lockdowns in the states of Victoria and New South Wales.