New Zealand officials opposes Labour’s Fair Pay Agreement proposal
Some government officials are rejecting Labour’s Fair Pay Agreement (FPA) plan in favour of tightening existing employment laws.
Australia’s Victoria state trials sick leave for casual workers
Consultation for the trial programme will open this month, and the scheme is slated to start in early 2022.
Taiwan’s self-employed to benefit from government subsidies
Self-employed workers who earned less than NT$408,000 in 2020, and who have been impacted by the pandemic, will be eligible for subsidies.
Taiwan offer subsidies to the unemployed who find jobs
Workers will now be eligible for handouts of up to NT$20,000 in subsidies over four months if they find a new full-time job.
Cash benefits given to Singaporean parents ineligible for parental leave
The new measures will allow parents to qualify for paternity, maternity and adoption benefits of up to S$30,000, depending on their income.
Japan PM’s adviser proposes 3% increase in minimum wages
David Atkinson, a member of the government’s growth strategy panel, has called for minimum wages to be raised by at least 3% in fiscal 2021.
Malaysia approves RM$1.3 billion in wage subsidies
The funds have been channelled to 75,262 employers, allowing them to maintain employment of 659,066 workers.
Singapore supports SMEs in new S$1.2-billion package
A new S$1.2-billion (US$890.2-million) support package is designed to help small-and-medium enterprises (SMEs) cope with the pandemic.
WFH government employees in the Philippines reimbursed
Government workers who work from home due to the pandemic can claim for internet expenses of P75-300 (US$1.5-6.1) per month.
Malaysia’s central bank allocates additional RM$4 billion loan facility
The facility aims to provide relief and support the recovery of SMEs in the services sector, and brings the total allocation to RM$6 billion.
Vietnam proposes another US$1.13 billion pandemic aid package
To offer financial aid to those affected by the pandemic, the government is planning a VND26-trillion (US$1.13-billion) package.
Australia’s NSW new parental leave policy takes effect
Beginning July 1, public sector workers will have access to 14 weeks of paid parental leave in the state of New South Wales.
World Bank supports India’s informal sector workers
A US$500 million World Bank programme will invest in social protection schemes for urban informal workers, gig-workers, and migrants.
South Korea unveils $33 trillion won budget for pandemic relief
A large portion of the extra budget will be used to support small businesses, provide cash handouts to households and help struggling job seekers.
Employer group in the Philippines opposes 10-day service incentive leave
The Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) is against increasing the number of service incentive leave days mandated by law.
Thailand announces 7.5 billion baht COVID-19 relief package
The payout will cover over 690,000 employees across six high-risk provinces, paying out half their wages with a cap of 7,500 baht.
South Korea to cover more workers under its state employment insurance
From July, more employees, including those hired under special contracts, will be covered under the state employment insurance scheme.
Malaysia unveils additional stimulus of RM$150 billion
Some RM$500 million would be allocated to the unemployed, benefiting around 1 million recipients who will each receive RM$500.
Unions urge New South Wales government to introduce vaccination leave
They also called on the Australian government to provide such leave to casual and contract workers.
Taiwan to approve 1 million pandemic relief loans
More than double the expected 500,000 people had applied for COVID-19 relief loans from the Ministry of Labour (MOL).
Singapore extends deadlines for loan repayments
With continued economic recovery, the central bank intends to move away from industry-wide credit reliefs to more targeted support measures.
Malaysia provides assistance to workers and employers
The Ministry of Human Resources has urged workers and employers affected by the pandemic to apply for benefits under the Employment Insurance System.
New Zealand retail workers’ pay rises 6.1%
Amid a shortage of experienced retail staff, employers have been forced to increase wages to retain and attract talent.
Cambodian government doles out subsidy to workers
These are workers who were not able to work due the lockdown, and each will receive about US$40 as part of the social assistance programme.
Australia’s NSW state to launch paid miscarriage leave
All New South Wales (NSW) public-sector workers will be entitled to five days of paid leave if they suffer a miscarriage of a child.
Malaysia remains committed to ensuring business continuity
The government still has a balance of RM$6 billion for its wage subsidy programme, which can guarantee wage payments for 2.7 million workers.
Singapore employers to get S$2.2 billion in wage subsidies
Under the Jobs Support Scheme, more than 140,000 employers will receive wage subsidies totaling S$2.2 billion (US$1.6 billion) from June 30.
South Korea undecided on minimum wage rate
The Minimum Wage Commission reported that the current minimum hourly wage rate of 8,720 won (US$7.69) is not sufficient to cover the cost of living.
Malaysia turns to e-payrolls to streamline business operations
The digital system will be able to automate and combine various payroll, compensation and deduction functions into one simple application.
Eight factors to consider when creating a new hybrid plan
Josh Bersin highlights the key considerations that will help create an effective, safe and productive approach to hybrid work.