New Zealand makes vaccination mandatory for hospitality staff
Employees of businesses where customers are required to show vaccine certificates will be given four weeks to also get the jab or face sacking
Thailand to regulate digital platform businesses
To maintain financial and commercial stability, such businesses will have to provide notification before commencing operations.
Unvaccinated workers in Singapore could lose their jobs
From 1 January 2022, workers who refuse to disclose their COVID-19 vaccination status will be treated as unvaccinated.
Malaysia proposes amending Employment Act
The human resources minister has tabled for the first reading a Bill to amend the Employment Act to insert a new section on paternity leave in Parliament.
Eateries, spas cannot sack unvaccinated staff in the Philippines
Businesses offering dine-in and in-person services cannot fire staff or withhold the salaries of those who are not vaccinated.
Unvaccinated workers not allowed back to the workplace in Singapore
From January 1 next year, only those who are vaccinated will be allowed back to the workplace, or if they have tested negative for COVID-19.
Malaysia’s civil servants told to get vaccinated or face dismissal
The Public Service Department (JPA) is mandating all medically fit civil servants to get the jab against COVID-19 or face the sack.
‘No vaccine, no pay’ practice declared unlawful in the Philippines
Some workers have said that they were not paid their salaries as they were required to first present proof of vaccination.
Australia mandates vaccination for service workers in Northern Territory
Australia’s Northern Territory has made it compulsory for anyone serving the public at work to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
Workers in Vietnam see fall in wages in Q3’2021 due to COVID-19
Male workers are also receiving a higher average monthly wage as compared to their female counterparts.
Singapore recovers US$266 million from overpayment of wage subsidies
The government has recovered S$361 million (US$266 million) from 4,862 firms to remedy overpayments in the Jobs Support Scheme (JSS).
Employers in Cambodia urged to test staff for COVID-19 after public holiday
All employers have been told to test staff for COVID-19 after they return to work after the three-day Pchum Ben holiday or Ancestors’ Day.
Malaysia mandates COVID-19 vaccinations for government staff
Malaysia has announced that all medically fit federal government employees must be vaccinated against COVID-19.
New South Wales makes vaccination compulsory for all healthcare staff
Healthcare staff in New South Wales (NSW) must be inoculated with the COVID-19 vaccine by September 30, said NSW health minister Brad Hazzard.
Workers in Singapore with positive ART test must work from home
If their jobs do not allow them to work from home, then employers must treat the period of absence as paid sick leave, said authorities.
Singapore reverts to work-from-home as default again
As COVID-19 cases continue to spike, work from home (WFH) will be the default for all employees who are able to do so.
Australia’s casual employment law set to kick in end-September
Changes to the Fair Work Act were passed in March, allowing casual staff the right to convert to permanent employment after 12 months of work.
All healthcare staff in Victoria state mandated to get COVID-19 vaccination
Thousands of Australian healthcare workers risk losing their jobs if they opt not to be vaccinated under new government rules.
China urges tech firms to protect gig worker rights
Regulators met with Chinese tech giants to discuss efforts to protect the basic rights of gig workers, following new government guidelines.
Clusters at Japanese workplaces due to inadequate anti-COVID measures
Japan’s health ministry has found that clusters at workplaces were due to insufficient anti-COVID measures.
Singapore mandates firms to notify worker layoffs
From November 1, all businesses in the city-state will have to notify the Ministry of Manpower of all retrenchments carried out.
Singapore explores more pervasive use of COVID-19 tests at the workplace
Authorities are looking into the wider use of antigen rapid tests at the workplace and will be establishing further testing guidelines.
Factory owners in Malaysia urged to set up workplace vaccination centres
Factory owners who employ foreign workers have been advised to set up their own vaccination centres (PPVs) at their work premises.
Singapore employers urged to regularly test unvaccinated workers
From October 1, workers in selected industries will be required to either be vaccinated, or undergo regular testing.
Malaysian businesses urged to comply with COVID-19 SOPs
As some sectors of the economy reopen, The Small and Medium Enterprises Association of Malaysia reminds businesses to comply with existing SOPs.
Malaysia mandates fortnightly COVID-19 tests for workers
Employees who need to be present at workplaces must undergo fortnightly RTK Antigen tests approved by the health ministry.
Vietnam’s southern provinces seek to end stay-at-work arrangements
Many companies in the southern part of the country are seeking approval to allow their staff to go back to their own residences.
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.