Japan announces US$490 billion stimulus package
The package has been reported to include cash support for small companies, as well as pay raises for nurses and care workers.
Taiwan awards civil servants 4% wage hike
The move is expected to benefit 820,000 military personnel, public school teachers and civil servants, and 200,000 contract workers.
Indonesian government told to act against minimum-wage violators
The government has been urged to strictly monitor the minimum wage implementation and take ‘firm action’ against violators.
Malaysia steps up protection for self-employed and gig workers
From 2022, the bulk of the cost of public insurance costs for the self-employed and gig workers will be paid by the state.
South Korea’s gender pay gap highest in OECD
Out of the 38 members of the OECD, South Korea ranks highest in the pay gap between male and female employees in 2020.
New Zealand urged to increase minimum wage for essential workers
The Council of Trade Unions’ call to increase the minimum wage to NZ$22.75 is in line with the current living wage.
MSMEs in the Philippines told to ensure payment of 13th month pay
Micro and small businesses are provided with the option to apply for a government loan to pay employees their 13th month salary.
Japanese minister calls for firms with strong earnings to increase salaries
Chairman of the Japan Business Federation also backed the call, encouraging profit-earning firms to increase workers’ wages.
Indonesia’s minimum wage to increase by at least 1.09% in 2022
The final decision on the increase will be decided by the governor of each province, and based on the data published by Statistics Indonesia.
Vietnam proposes aid package for employees returning to work
To attract people who have gone back to their hometowns to return to work after lockdown, the government is working on a support package.
Essential employees in NSW to lose COVID-19 compensation protection
The state government plans to repeal the automatic compensation rights for essential workers under section 19B of the Workers Compensation Act 1987.
Amendments to Malaysia’s Employment Act “falls short”
Although maternity leave has been extended from 60 to 90 days, this is less than the International Labour Organisation’s standard of 98 days.
Japan PM promises stimulus package for pandemic relief
Cash payouts worth 100,000 yen (US$884) each will be delivered to students, temporary workers and low-income households hit hardest by COVID-19.
Taiwan’s workforce grew by 24,000 in September
The total number of workers in the industrial and service sectors grew by 0.3% to nearly 8.12 million in September, as businesses continued to recover.
Vietnam disburses cash assistance to over 10.3 million workers
More than VND24.6 trillion (US$1.6 billion) in cash assistance has been disbursed from the unemployment insurance fund.
Malaysia looks into law to protect gig workers
So far, gig workers only receive social protection under the Self-Employment Social Security Scheme under the Social Security Organisation.
Trade unions in India say minimum wage hike “not enough”
Trade unions in the capital city say higher wages are required to offset the impact of rising inflation in prices of essential commodities.
Malaysia’s minimum wage review slated for completion by year-end
The minimum wage rate was raised to RM$1,200 from RM$1,100 previously, and took effect in February 2020 across 57 cities and towns.
Japan proposes stimulus package for companies raising wages
A governmental economic-policy panel has proposed a fresh stimulus package, including shoring up support for companies increasing employee salaries.
Malaysia’s minimum wage subsidy excludes gig economy workers
The government does, however, provide social security protection to the self-employed, which covers gig workers.
Wage gap by work sector widens in South Korea
The sector that saw the largest wage jump include tech firms, while the salaries of workers in the tourism and aviation sectors took a plunge.
Largest business lobby in Japan calls for more female worker support
Keidanren aims to reduce the number of women who are forced to quit their jobs to care for their children or nursing care for their parents.
Socso supports employment initiatives under new Malaysia Budget
The Social Security Organization (Socso) will give its full support to the government’s plan to strengthen the labour market and expand social safety nets.
Taiwan to disburse wage subsidies to help businesses
Businesses that have seen their revenue decline by at least 20% in September and October from the same period last year will be eligible for the wage subsidies.
Japan’s top union leader vows for better worker wages and conditions
Tomoko Yoshino said that gender inequality is also interwoven into Japan’s tax and pension system, and is part of a wider problem on workers’ rights.
Japan to review COVID-19 subsidies for businesses
Officials are concerned that small and medium-sized firms in the country will grow to be overly depend on the subsidies.
Vietnam’s unemployment insurance supports over 5 million workers
More than 5 million workers affected by the pandemic have received assistance from the unemployment insurance fund.
South Korea’s wage divide between sectors widens
Workers in internet service firms saw their pay rising in the first half of 2021, while those in the travel sector experienced a slump.
Lower-wage workers in Singapore to get pay increase
Workers with gross monthly salaries of up to S$2,000 (US$1,482) should get a 4.5% to 7.5% raise of between S$70 (US$51.9) and S$90 (US$66.7).
Low wage workers to benefit from Australia’s new superannuation law
The introduction of the regulation will abolish the current A$450 minimum threshold for workers to qualify for superannuation.