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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Men earn 1.6 times higher wages than women in South Korea
The gender wage gap, which measures the rate of men’s average pay to that of women, measured 35.9% in 2020.
Large Japanese firms see 8% drop in summer bonuses
A survey by the Japan Business Federation took into account the agreed bonuses of 159 Tokyo-listed firms with over 500 employees.
Aid for businesses take precedent over minimum wage: Taiwan minister
Taiwan is deliberating on the minimum wage for 2022, even as some businesses continue to struggle financially because of the pandemic.
Singapore redoubles efforts to support lower-wage workers
The Progressive Wage Model will be expanded to new sectors such as retail, food services and waste management.
Singapore supports low-wage workers, extends COVID-19 tests aid
Singapore will ramp up the funding of a scheme that helps local workers whose earnings are in the bottom 20%, receiving not more than S$2,300 a month.
More Japanese public servants take up paternity leave
Some 97.2% of the male national public servants whose children were born between July 2020 and March 2021 took paternity leave for at least a month.
Singapore’s NTUC to push for unemployment support and benefits
The NTUC-SNEF PME Taskforce had consulted over 9,000 PMEs aged between 20 to 60 years old on their key concerns and needs at the workplace.
Big employers in New Zealand not applying for wage subsidy
Big businesses are conspicuously absent from applying for the latest wage subsidy scheme pushed out by the government.
Taiwan’s labour minister hopeful for larger minimum wage hike next year
The hike is required to support sectors badly impacted by the pandemic, including hotel, F&B and assorted services.
Over 47,000 businesses apply for wage subsidies in New Zealand
Revenues have dropped for many businesses as the country goes into Level 4 lockdown mode in response to a Delta variant outbreak of COVID-19.
Victoria awards public sector staff COVID-19 vaccination leave
The leave covers full-time, part-time, long-term staff and regular casuals at public entities, and grants workers half a day off to get their jabs.
Japan mulls tax breaks for investments into startups
The programme was first introduced in fiscal 2020 as a two-year measure, and is set to expire in March 2022.
Australia’s annual average full-time wage hits A$90,000
The country’s average annual salary breached the A$90,000 (US$64,191) mark for the first time, according to Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
Bank of Thailand relaxes debt assistance to support businesses
This includes the adjustment of its soft loan scheme to support liquidity for both existing and new SME borrowers by expanding their credit line.
Cambodia to negotiate next year’s minimum wage
Worker unions and labour rights groups want the minimum wage to increase from US$192 to US$200 a month.
New Zealand reinstates wage subsidy amid lockdown
As the country raises its COVID-19 alert to level 4, the government is planning to reinstate the wage subsidy.
Australian firms urged to study impact of staff vaccination incentives
The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry has cautioned that firms offering staff vaccination incentives could be exposed to compensation claims.
Vietnam seeks to roll out more tax breaks for businesses
These include a 30% cut in corporate income tax, and a 30% value-added tax cut for businesses in sectors hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic.
Public employees in Japan to get paid leave for fertility treatment
From next January, public employees will be granted up to 10 days of paid leave for fertility treatments. as Japan tries to addressing a falling birth rate.
Thailand needs US$30 billion more to support the economy
By end-2021, jobless numbers are forecasted to hit 3.4 million, up from 3 million in Q2’ 2021, reported the country’s central bank chief.
More legal safeguards for freelancers in Japan
The government is planning to require more companies to provide written contracts when they hire freelancers.
Taiwan extends subsidy for workers with pay cut
From August 23, workers whose income fell by at least 20% during July would be able to apply for the subsidy.
South Korea’s wages lag behind OECD average
The annual wage for employees in South Korea posted US$41,960 on average in 2020, compared to the OECD average of US$49,165.