Thailand sets up pension fund to support ageing population
The Cabinet has approved the setting up of the National Pension Fund (NPF), a new mandatory retirement savings scheme for formal sector workers.
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.
Tokyo continues with earlier closing times for F&B businesses
Tokyo and neighbouring prefectures are mandating food-and-beverage businesses to close earlier to reduce the risk of a rebound of pandemic cases.
Singapore adopts flexible and hybrid work model
Remote working will be scaled down in the South-East Asian country as more employees are allowed to return to the workplace.
New wage code in India to change salary structures
Employees, especially those with high allowances, are likely to see a major change in their salary structures if the new wage code kicks in from April 1.
China plans to raise retirement age in phases
Under the country’s five-year plan, the retirement age will be raised in a “phased manner”, said China’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security.
Cambodia trials work-from-home for one week
Prime Minister Hun Sen has issued a directive for all government institutions and the legislative body to adopt work-from-home practices for one week.
WFH to remain as default as Malaysia loosens movement control restrictions
The government has replaced the Movement Control Order (MCO) in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Johor and Penang to a conditional MCO (CMCO).
Staggered working hours and remote working encouraged in Singapore
Spreading out commuter crowds on buses and trains during peak hours would help ensure the financial sustainability and efficiency of public transport.
Foreigners on a dependant’s pass will need a work pass to work in Singapore
Businesses hiring DP holders will have to comply with the requirements for hiring, which includes the relevant quotas, levies and qualifying salaries.
New Zealand unions urge workplaces to adopt safe practices
The Council of Trade Unions (CTU) and Business New Zealand (BNZ) have called on workplaces to help the country get through the pandemic safely.
Japan adopts new bill for more flexible paternity leave
With the revision, fathers can take leave in two batches, and will receive employment insurance benefits equivalent to 67% of their pre-leave wages.
Singapore MP proposes formalising labour laws to protect locals
Labour MP Patrick Tay has said the country needs more formal labour laws instead of mere advisories and guidelines to protect local workers.
Australian employers cannot force staff to get COVID-19 jab
The Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) and Safe Work Australia (SWA) have advised employers to assume employee vaccinations are not required.
Malaysia imposes requirements for improved workers’ lodging
Failure to comply with government orders to improve living quarters will result in RM200,000 in fines or a three-year jail term, or both.
Hong Kong testing centres fully booked as businesses reopen
As the restrictions on businesses ease in Hong Kong, testing centres for COVID-19 are stretched to the max due to mandatory testing.
New SOPs for workplace safety in India to contain spread of virus
The government has issued new SOPs that allow work to resume in offices after disinfection has been done in accordance with new protocols.
France relaxes rule to allow workers to eat within work premises
The government has relaxed its labour code that explicitly forbids workers “to have their meals inside work premises”.
India proposes launch of portal to collect gig worker data
The data could help formulate health, housing, skill, insurance, credit and food schemes for migrant workers, says the finance minister.
Singapore fines companies which breached COVID-19 safety rules
The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has fined 42 more companies for not following workplace safety regulations.
Companies in Malaysia to help with COVID-19 vaccination and tests
This will help the country manage the economy better, and help industry players affected by the pandemic, Malaysia’s HR minister says.
Only 37% of firms meet Japan government’s push to telecommute
The survey by business lobby Keidanren also found that the number of people commuting to work was reduced by 65%, or around 870,000.
Singapore maintains work-from-home as default option
Under current safe management measures, peak-hour travel on public transport in January has risen by 11%, compared to November 2020.
China mulls harsher penalties for workplace safety breaches
Lawmakers are proposing heavier disciplinary measures on workplaces which violate workplace safety in an effort to enhance risk management.
Skills training needed to meet targeted labour demand in Thailand
The training programmes may also need to focus on promoting livelihoods and self-employment skills in rural areas, said the World Bank
Trade bodies in Singapore support fair hiring and employment practices
Twenty-nine organisations from the Trade Associations & Chambers (TACs) have pledged their support for fair hiring and employment practices.
India proposes WFH for manufacturing industry
The government is considering whether some activity under the manufacturing sector should also have the flexibility to work from home (WFH).
Businesses in Japan that violate shutdown orders could face fines
The amendment to the special measures law is set to be enacted by the Japanese government in early February.
Employers should hire and train mature workers, eliminate bias
The country aims to tap into the Singapore workforce, instead of relaxing its foreign worker policy, says minister.
Malaysia requires employers to provide quarantine centres for foreign workers
Employers will also be responsible for medical costs and ensuring the welfare of their foreign workers.