Compensation and Benefits

Singapore government incentive boosts hiring of locals

Almost half of the 130,000 hires were not employed at the point of hire and over a quarter had been unemployed for over six months.

Start-ups in Singapore attracted US$4 billion funding in 2020

Despite challenges posed by the pandemic last year, start-ups in the country attracted S$5.5 billion (US$4 billion) in funding.

Innovative Startup Act helps new entrepreneurs in the Philippines

The inception of Republic Act 11337 will help entrepreneurs bring their innovative ideas to fruition by providing them with government support.

Hoteliers in Malaysia must pay out service charges collected to staff

The court judgment read that service charge, being monies collected from third parties, does not belong to the hotel, and should be transferred to employees.

Australian unions call for minimum wage hike as wage support ends

The wage hike to A$26 a week would allow low-wage workers to spend more, and is an effective way of spurring local businesses.

Taiwan approves bill for workers’ accident insurance in small companies

The bill proposes that companies employing less than five workers must insure their staff for occupational accidents.

Cambodia extends COVID-19 support for businesses and workers

The eighth tranche of financial support will cover businesses in sectors such as textile, aviation and tourism, as well as those in the lower-income group.

New Zealand approves bereavement leave for miscarriages and stillbirth

The bill will apply to parents, their partners, and parents planning to have a child through surrogacy or adoption, but will exclude abortion.

Philippine senator files bill for 335-billion-peso stimulus package

Senator Manny Pacquiao has filed a bill calling for a 335-billion-peso (US$6.9 billion) stimulus package in the Senate.

Singapore to hand out $3 billion in wage subsidies

Employers will receive up to 50% support for the first S$4,600 of gross monthly wages paid from September to December 2020.

Women trade union group in Malaysia calls for 98 days of maternity leave

Wanita Industrial Malaysia (WIM), a trade union coalition representing female workers, has urged the government to mandate 98 days of maternity leave.

Japan sets aside 2.2 trillion yen to support businesses and low-income groups

The government will adopt measures to help medium and larger-sized companies boost capital funds.

Thailand unveils new support measures for pandemic-stricken firms

This includes 250 billion baht worth of soft loans for SMEs that will help them access credit, and 100 billion baht for loan repayments.

Japan plans to increase minimum hourly wages to 1,000 yen

Prime minister Yoshihide Suga has said he targets to raise the country’s average minimum hourly wage to 1,000 yen (US$9.2) as soon as possible.

Singapore to disburse S$940 million in wage credits by end-March

The government will co-fund 15% of qualifying wage increases given in 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020 to more than 800,000 Singaporean employees.

Philippines senator backs bill to ensure workers’ health insurance

The senator’s call came after Quezon City’s local government confirmed that the rise in COVID-19 cases was also stemming from the workplace.

Malaysia unveils RM20 billion stimulus package

This marks the sixth round of support packages unveiled since the pandemic, bringing the total sum of all packages rolled out to RM340 billion.

Unemployment benefit surpasses 1 trillion won in South Korea

South Korea’s unemployment allowance payment hit a five-month high in February, surpassing 1 trillion won (US$884 million) again.

Thailand to launch new phase of co-payment scheme with SMEs

The government is currently preparing additional measures to help local SMEs, which will cover up to 50 to 80% of SMEs various expenses.

Australia extends its loan guarantee scheme

The extended scheme will see the government’s guarantee on loans increase to an 80/20 split with the banks, an increase from the current 50/50 split.

More New Zealanders cancelling unemployment benefit

The net number of people getting off the unemployment benefit has increased for the first time since the start of the pandemic.

Malaysia prepares to roll out support packages for businesses and citizens

The new initiatives would cater to Malaysians and businesses that are the most affected by the pandemic, said the finance minister.

Thailand works on third tranche of co-payment subsidy

The third phase of its handouts would allow for financial assistance for public services, such as public transport costs.

Australia doles out A$1.2 billion in wage subsidies

The scheme will see the government subsidise half of the wages for 70,000 apprentices for 12 months, incentivising businesses to hire younger workers.