Employers should not use government relief funds for workers’ pay
Taiwan’s New Power Party (NPP) has raised the issue of employers using pandemic relief funds to pay their staff’s salaries.
Mandatory vaccination for key-sector workers in Hong Kong
Civil servants, teachers and healthcare workers must get inoculated against COVID-19 or pay for regular testing.
Malaysia proposes enhanced SOPs for reopening of small businesses
Under the proposal, business owners and workers will have to be fully vaccinated and undergo a weekly COVID-19 swab test.
Malaysian businesses urged to embrace workplace safety and health
Employers are also advised to set up a dedicated safety department at the workplace and appoint a safety office at the work site.
SOPs should still apply to fully vaccinated workers in Malaysia
The Malaysian Employers Federation also proposed the set up of a platform to record, monitor and report adverse events related to the COVID-19 vaccinations.
Malaysia allocates RM$3.8 billion to extension of wage subsidy scheme
The programme is to be implemented for four months from August 1st, and would be open to all economic sectors in the first two months.
China seeks to protect rights of workers in flexible employment
The government is working out new laws to protect the rights of workers, especially those in flexible employment.
DOLE identifies ‘safe’ establishments in the Philippines
Business owners have been urged to get safety seals for their establishments in the country’s efforts to re-open the economy.
WFH remains default arrangement in Singapore
Despite the easing of social restrictions in Singapore, companies should continue to ensure their employees work from home, whenever possible.
Malaysian employers to be penalised for flouting pandemic measures
The Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF) has called on the government to penalise businesses not following measures for pandemic control.
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.
Malaysian employees make complaints about WFH neglect
The government’s guidelines stipulate that only 60% of employees in selected sectors can report to the office.
Japan promotes 4-day work-week option
The government is supporting the proposal to let employees choose a four-day work week in its annual economic policy guideline.
Singapore maintains WFH as default arrangement, extends jobs support
Workers cannot be cross-deployed to multiple worksites, and employers need to implement flexible working hours and staggered start times.
South Korea rejects further extension to delay 52-hour work week
Companies employing between five and 49 workers will have to comply with the 52-hour work week by next month.
Taiwan shortens rest times between shifts for workers
The Ministry of Labour (MOL) has temporarily lowered the number of rest hours workers must get between shifts from 11 to eight for four industries.
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.
Singapore companies advised to test staff regularly for COVID-19
Employers with staff who need to work in high-risk environments should implement testing for them on a regular basis, says Enterprise Singapore.
Vietnam prime minister urges for relaxation of overly strict lockdowns
Local governments have been urged to relax overly strict lockdowns that are affecting production and business activity in some provinces.
Malaysian employers cannot force non-essential service workers to office
Staff are encouraged to report incidents where their workplace exceeds the 60% capacity, or they are asked to work despite the need for quarantine.
Malaysia mulls giving more power to JTKSM to police WFH SOP
The Department of Labour could be given more authority to penalise companies who fail to comply to WFH orders.
Singapore likely to relax COVID-19 restrictions after June 13
Enhanced wage support for select businesses affected by the city-state’s tighter measures has also been announced.
Cambodia government officials call for paid leave days for vaccination
A statement has been issued to all factories and enterprises mandating that workers be given a paid day off in order to get vaccinated.
Malaysian SMEs told to self-enforce MCO SOPs
Businesses have been told to form their own internal audit committees to ensure compliance to the stricter SOPs under the MCO.
Malaysia calls on small businesses to prepare operating under stricter SOPs
These include making sure that premises are equipped with a safe entry QR code, thermometers and hand sanitisers
South Korea’s proposed bill protects workers’ rights when companies split
South Korea’s policymakers have proposed a bill that will guarantee employees’ rights when a company is in a spinoff.
Singapore businesses required to report on-site staff numbers
The Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) has asked business owners to provide the number of staff on-site in their workplaces.
New Zealand increases sick leave from five to 10 days
The New Zealand parliament has passed a bill that will double the number of paid sick leave for employees from five to 10 days.
Philippine organisation calls for smoke-free workplaces
HealthJustice Philippines has urged the government to enforce smoke-free workplaces in a bid to fight the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
Firms in Japan still not adopting teleworking enough, survey shows
Companies in Miyagi, Osaka, and Hyōgo Prefectures were asked to adopt remote work arrangements to control the spread of COVID-19.