Nine businesses in Singapore double paid paternity leave from 2022
Fathers who work in these firms will be able to enjoy four weeks of paternity leave, an increase from two weeks under current regulations.
Majority of Japanese companies to freeze or cut wages next year
About 54% of companies plan to keep salaries, including bonuses, unchanged next fiscal year, 4% plan to cut them and 42% expect to raise wages.
Re-calibrating the new world of work with data
Henry Liew, BIPO’s Principal Data Scientist, explains how data-driven HR will power organisational transformation.
Cambodia ramps up credit financing for SMEs to US$140 million
As of November 30, 790 SMEs in the country have received financial support, amounting to US$99.8 million in loans.
More Malaysian companies raising employees’ salaries
More employers are increasing the wages of their employees this year compared with 2020, reflecting a positive business recovery in the country.
Japan incentivises salary hikes with tax deduction
The government is encouraging smaller companies to raise staff salaries with tax deductions of up to 40%, and 30% for bigger companies.
Cambodia to extend tax exemptions to COVID-19 hard hit sectors
The government would continue to provide tax preferences and subsidies to industries that were impacted severely by the pandemic.
Japan to raise premium for employment insurance
The government wants greater premium payments from employers and employees as the employment insurance system is running low on funds.
Sri Lanka to provide social security for informal sector workers
The government is planning to make social security benefits available to insurance agents, journalists, carpenters, masons, labourers and domestic workers.
Japan’s largest labour organisation calls for 4% pay hike
In wage negotiations held earlier this year, businesses had agreed to an average 1.78% wage hike, in response to expectations of a 4% pay hike.
Workers in Vietnam receive US$1.24 billion in support
These include some 1.85 million workers who had their labour contracts temporarily suspended or were told to take unpaid leave.
SMEs face biggest challenge in acquiring and retaining talent
SMEs struggle to create appropriate career development opportunities for their workers, making it hard for them to attract and retain talent.
Most employers in Malaysia still cautious on hiring
The majority of employers are still waiting for January 2022 to start hiring new staff and utilise incentives awarded to them.
Number of irregular workers in South Korea grows by 530,000
The number of irregular workers has increased from 8.5 million to 9.04 million in August, rising 6.35% year-on-year.
Malaysia proposes flexible and shorter work weeks for women
Although flexible working schedules have been implemented since the pandemic outbreak last year, there are no laws governing the matter.
New Zealand provides financial aid for companies with revenue shortfall
The government is granting financial support to help companies transition to the new traffic light system for managing COVID-19.
Cash assistance handed out to displaced workers in the Philippines
Displaced or disadvantaged workers receive an average of 10 to 90 days of work compensation based on the minimum wage.
Japan PM hopes businesses can hike wages over 3%
The government approved an economic stimulus package last week, which includes cash handouts and vouchers to lower-income households.
China increases maternity leave to encourage births
Several regions in China have extended maternity leave by at least 30 days, in the latest effort to address record-low birth rates in the country.
Malaysia supports over 200,000 entrepreneurs
The support provided through a public programme totalled RM7.172 billion, and has exceeded the initial target of supporting 188,345 entrepreneurs.
Japan mulls tax break for companies raising wages
The government is considering granting a tax break for companies which raise salaries of all employees, including new and non-regular workers.
Thailand approves 5-billion-baht soft-loan package to create jobs
The cabinet has given the go-ahead for a soft-loan package worth 5 billion baht (US$150 million) to help create jobs for the unemployed.
Indonesia looks to bridge existing gender pay gap
The Manpower Ministry is optimistic of closing the wage gap between male and female workers, and to increase the level of female participation at work.
South Korea to use excess tax revenue to support small businesses
Small businesses will be compensated for their incurred losses because of COVID-19 restrictions, although some businesses are exempted from this.
Workers and employers in Ho Chi Minh City receive financial aid
Over VND5,422 billion (US$238 million) has been spent to support employers and employees in the city impacted by the pandemic.
Wage increases in Japan still suppressed by pandemic
A Japanese labour ministry survey has found that the prolonged pandemic is still dampening wage hikes for workers in affected sectors.
Concerns raised over South Korea’s new workplace disaster law
Some 29.2% of foreign investment companies with over 300 employees felt most uneasy about the introduction of the workplace disaster law.
Malaysia continues to deliberate on minimum wage
The National Wage Consultative Council (MPGN) is still discussing whether to maintain or increase the minimum wage rate.
Pay gap widens between regular and non-regular workers in South Korea
The proportion of non-regular workers in the country has also been increasing, rising by 5.5 percentage points from 2017 to 2021.
Singapore to cut support for businesses as COVID-19 curbs eased
Wage support to businesses in sectors hit hard by the pandemic, such as F&B, retail, and tourism, will be lowered from 25% to 10%.