Australia increases minimum wage by 2.5% to benefit 2.2 million workers
The Fair Wage Commission (FWC) has raised the minimum wage and related award minimum wages by 2.5%.
Philippines incentivises vaccinated workers with freebies
Some 1,000 essential workers from Metro Manila and another thousand from other regions are expected to benefit from the programme.
Malaysia manufacturers union call for additional COVID-19 stimulus
This follows after the nation extended its movement control order (MCO) 3.0 for another two weeks from June 15 to June 28.
Malaysian Employers Federation calls for assistance for small businesses
The employers’ group has urged the government to provide a moratorium on compulsory contributions to tide small businesses through tough times.
Taiwan firms want tax breaks, COVID-19 vaccines and wage subsidies
72.59% of manufacturers want a business tax break, while 71.25% would like to receive wage subsidies to help them meet their payroll costs, a survey finds.
Many Australian companies unwilling to increase wages
In place of higher wages, companies are instead offering one-off bonuses and flexible working arrangements, says the Reserve Bank of Australia.
Bank of Thailand extends debt restructuring measures for SMEs
The debt moratorium has been extended from June 30 to December, and will be applicable to SMEs hit by the economic uncertainty due to the pandemic.
Malaysian companies must shoulder additional costs for vaccination
Companies participating in the programme that sees their employees vaccinated need to pay for the additional costs involved.
Malaysia’s central bank gets soft loans approved for SMEs
Bank Negara Malaysia has facilitated around RM12.06 billion (US$2.9 billion) worth of soft loans for SMEs which have been approved by local banks.
Japan pushes for higher wages across regions
Across the country, Japan aims to achieve a national average of ¥1,000 per hour and narrow the pay gap between regions.
Australia’s payroll jobs rise 0.3%, higher growth for male workers
Over the period, payroll jobs showed the largest increase in Queensland and the Northern Territory, each rising by 0.6% and 0.5% respectively.
Companies in Singapore to adopt WFH as default arrangement
Businesses are advised to stagger the start times of employees and implement flexible working hours, and refrain from cross-deploying workers.
Vietnam proposes US$1.2 billion COVID-19 relief package
The VND27,600 billion (US$1.2 billion) relief package will support workers and businesses badly hit by the pandemic.
Japan approves flexible paternity leave
Fathers will be able to take a total of four weeks off within eight weeks of their child’s birth, and can choose to split the period into two breaks.
Taiwan to issue fourth round of COVID-19 relief subsidies
The subsidy package is set to benefit at least 7.3 million individuals, and will also be allocated to support various sectors.
Companies in Vietnam offer to pay for vaccination of staff
Most employers are willing to pay to vaccinate their employees to curb the spread of the virus in their companies.
Japan’s real wages in April show largest monthly gain since 2010
The increase was partly due to a 0.5% drop in the consumer price index, and a y-o-y rebound in part-timers’ compensation.
South Korea’s jobless claims fall in May
Those receiving job-seeking benefits totalled 704,000 in May, in line with a downward trend of 759,000 in March, and 739,000 in April.
South Korea to grant workers with extra days off
The government will soon pass a bill that will provide workers with extra days off should a public holiday fall on a weekend.
World Bank approves US$500 million programme to support India’s MSMEs
The programme targets improving the performances of 555,000 MSMEs and is expected to mobilise financing of US$15.5 billion.
Thailand rolls out wage subsidies to deter mass layoffs
Qualified SMEs for the new co-payment scheme include those that could not acquire a soft loan from Thailand’s central bank package.
Taiwan grants pandemic subsidies to 600,000 self-employed
The Cabinet is revising an economic stimulus bill to provide financial relief to two groups of self-employed people affected by the pandemic.
Chinese city turns to blockchain for worker payments
An app records and encrypts data like work attendances based on facial recognition, and feedback from recruiters.
Malaysian banks offer loan moratorium and assistance to SMEs
SMEs adversely hit by the full lockdown can now enroll in the Targeted Repayment Assistance (TRA) programme offered by banks.
Government workers in the Philippines to receive hazard pay
Government employees who need to report physically for work will receive a hazard pay of P500 (US$10.4) per day.
Thailand approves US$4.5 billion COVID-19 stimulus package
The measures include cash handouts to welfare card holders and special groups, co-payments and cash rebates, and will be implemented from July.
Prudential helps organisations plan for sustainability and success
KOCH Singapore Packaging Systems has benefited from Prudential’s EB offerings to build a happier and more productive workforce.
56,000 people lost jobs after Australia ended JobKeeper
While these job losses are linked to the end of its wage subsidy, more people are beginning to find jobs, says the treasury secretary.
Malaysia urged to extend COVID-19 subsidy till year-end
The government has been asked to extend the wage subsidy programme throughout all phases of MCO and [Conditional] MCO, or at least till December.
Taiwan approves up to US$30.4 billion for pandemic relief
Taiwan’s legislature has passed a financial relief proposal that will see NT$840 billion set aside for direct payments and loans to citizens and businesses.