S$500 million support package for Singapore’s struggling sectors
Singapore’s 2022 budget will include a S$500 million (US$372 million) support package to help workers and businesses “still struggling” to recover.
Malaysia urges firms to return to WFH arrangements
The health ministry noted that the current infectious rate of COVID-19 in the country is higher, and most likely caused by the Omicron variant.
New Zealand urges businesses to let employees work from home
As Omicron cases increase, the country’s biggest businesses and government departments have been encouraged to let their staff work from home.
Over two thirds of firms in Japan have no plans to raise base wages this year
Instead, pay increases are more likely to come in the form of one-time bonuses, which may not lead to increased household spending
DOLE urged to probe red-tagging and harassment in the Philippines
The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has urged the Philippine government to better address trade union rights violations in the country.
Singapore managed to avoid higher unemployment in 2021
Government support ensured the unemployment rate hit 3.5% instead of 7.5% in 2021, said the country’s finance ministry.
Indonesia’s Old Age Insurance Programme reverts to original role
With the launch of the Job Loss Guarantee Programme (JKP), the Old Age Insurance Programme (JHT) will revert to protecting elderly workers.
Australia’s online job vacancies reach 13-year high
The majority of recruitment remains concentrated in capital cities, with the highest number of job ads in Sydney and Melbourne.
South Korea sees highest jobs increase in almost 22 years
The number of people employed saw its sharpest spike in nearly 22 years in January month-on-month and was partly attributable to government spending.
Minimum wage hike will only benefit foreign workers in Malaysia
Foreign workers would send back the surplus of their salaries to their home countries, instead of spending their earnings in Malaysia, says employers group.
Cambodia provides financial support to SMEs and the agriculture sector
A US$100 million special emergency loan scheme will help SMEs and the agriculture and agro-industry sectors get through the pandemic.
Fresh grads in Singapore offered higher pay for full-time jobs
84% of fresh graduates were employed in full-time jobs within six months of completing their exams, an increase from 69.8% in 2020 and 81.7% in 2019.
Malaysia prepares to launch job creation initiative
The Jamin Kerja Keluarga Malaysia initiative will create 600,000 jobs with a budget of RM4.8 billion (US$1.14 billion).
Singapore reviews fair employment practices
Incentives that are based on employees’ use of sick leave will be deemed as “unfair practice”, says the Manpower Minister.
China offers support to 10.76 million graduates entering workforce
China is offering special help to young entrepreneurs and providing a range of incentives to encourage small companies to employ fresh graduates.
New Zealand rolls out plans to ease IT skills shortage
The country aims to nurture local talent, instead of relying heavily on skilled foreign workers in the industry.
Employment opportunities increase in Malaysia
The number of jobs in the country reached 8.53 million jobs in the fourth quarter of 2021, the highest number recorded during the pandemic period.
Regional Australia facing shortage of workers
Workers employed in regional Australia last December was just 1% more than in December 2020, while job ads ballooned by 36%.
Minimum wage raise under consideration in Hong Kong
Secretary for Labour and Welfare Law Chi-kwong has said the minimum wage, frozen at HK$37.50 (US$4.8) since 2019, may be raised this year.
Less firms in Singapore tap into pandemic support
S$8.6 billion in loans was provided to 12,600 companies in 2021, compared to S$18 billion to 21,000 companies in 2020.
Malaysia’s SME body calls for labour law reform and productivity
The HR Ministry has been urged to focus on reforming labour laws to keep up with the gig economy and the reality of a post-pandemic age.
New Zealand to raise minimum wage to NZ$21.20 from April
The move is designed to strike the right balance between retaining the standard of living for low-wage workers and meeting the needs of businesses.
Rising workforce numbers and Industry 4.0 challenge Indonesia’s HR
The huge demographic “bonus” and Industrial Revolution 4.0 (4IR) will drive manpower challenges, said Manpower Ministry official.
Men in Australia twice as likely to be paid more than women
Some 22% of company boards also do not have a single woman on them, while less than one in five CEOs are female, a report has found.
First flat rate for minimum wage decided in Thailand
The Labour Ministry is expected to approve the country’s daily minimum wage from 336 baht (US$10.2) to a flat rate of 492 baht (US$15.0).
Malaysian worker unions push for minimum wage hike
Employees have suffered as much as employers during the pandemic, said the Labour Law Reform Coalition.
Green economy increases employment in Indonesia
Indonesia is increasing its investment in the green economy, which is said to be able to generate ten times more jobs than other industries.
Hong Kong to dole out cash subsidy for the unemployed
The handouts will exclude workers who lost their jobs before the current wave of outbreaks began last December.
Malaysia’s labour market improves with lower unemployment
The unemployment rate dropped to 4.2% in December from 4.3% in the previous month, the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) reported.
Japan rolling out digital training programmes to foster tech skills
The educational programmes are slated to start in fiscal 2022, and are designed to improve the employability of Japanese workers.