Some 300,000 Australians benefit from wage hike

This covers the country’s retail, fast food and warehouse workers, as well as those who work in aviation, arts and recreation, and tourism.
Thailand prepares to launch pandemic relief package

Prime minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has given the go-ahead for financial aid costing 40 billion baht to help employees left out under previous schemes.
Japan’s non-regular workers yet to receive compensation for forced leave

Some 33.4% of non-regular workers received no compensation for forced leave, as compared to 14.8% for regular staff, a survey shows.
Hong Kong’s minimum wage to remain at HK$37.50 an hour

The decision was made after a review from government officials, academics and business representatives showed majority consensus.
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.
Workers in the Philippines to be upskilled in AI

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has launched an AI programme to prepare workers for disruption from technological advancement.
New Zealand’s union calls for sick leave for new employees

The Council of Trade Unions (CTU) is pushing for the removal of the rule that workers must be employed for six months before getting sick leave.
Taiwan protects working rights of middle-aged and senior workers

The Executive Yuan has passed a new Act to address the challenges of an ageing population and potential future labour shortages.
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.
Malaysia’s wage subsidies total RM20.7 billion in payouts

The third phase of the country’s wage subsidy programme will receive an additional injection of RM500 million.
Women in India hit harder in employment due to pandemic

Out of those who could retain their jobs, about 83% of women workers in India faced a severe income drop, said Oxfam India.
Top employers are reinventing the role of HR

Working with Asia-Pacific’s top organisations, Top Employers Institute is continuing to identify trends in HR strategies and workplace practices.
Employers in Singapore urged to adopt hybrid working arrangements

Multi-ministry COVID-19 taskforce co-chair and education minister Lawrence Wong has said a total work-from-home arrangement is “not doable”.
Pandemic dulls outlook for pay hikes at Japan’s annual wage talks

Japan’s Business Federation says companies should have more financial leeway and pay hikes are unrealistic amid the economic uncertainty.
Investment in upskilling can boost GDP by US$6.5 trillion by 2030

Skills enhancement would ensure that workers have the experience and skills needed for the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
Majority of employees in Taiwan generally satisfied with jobs

A survey by the Ministry of Labour (MOL) found that 71.2% of workers were generally satisfied with their jobs, with 3.7% being dissatisfied.
Malaysia: Reskilling workers better strategy than wage subsidies

The government’s strategy to mitigate the effects of the pandemic should be to upskill or reskill workers instead of continuing to pay wage subsidies.
Japan government revises paternity leave to promote time off

The government has been encouraging men to take paternity leave, but the practice is not common in Japan, which suffers from a declining birth rate.
How to design a digital-change experience that sticks

Organisations need to rethink change, embracing it with a digital mindset that will empower their employees to adapt.
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.
Teleworking rate in Japan remains low despite government urge

The proportion of teleworkers fell to 22% in mid-January, from 31.5 % in May 2020, when the country was under its first state of emergency.
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
Japanese politician proposes 4-day work week

Member of the Japan House of Councillors Kuniko Inoguchi is backing a bill that would give workers a four-day work week.
Hong Kong government plans to increase number of statutory holidays

Labour minister Law Chi-Kwong said the proposal to gradually increase the number of statutory holidays from 12 to 17 by 2030 is “most acceptable”.
Skills development key for SEA workers to move into new jobs

There are large potential returns to be reaped by businesses, stemming from productivity increases from fourth industrial revolution tech, says ADB.
Malaysia steps up delivery of Permai package

The Social Security Organisation (Socso) has committed to the quick implementation of the Permai financial package.
More South Korean workers are working two jobs

Among new recruits last December, some 407,000 people had experience working at a second job, data shows.
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).
Australian companies deploy hybrid work model

Australia’s Commonwealth Bank intends to keep a hybrid model of staff working from the office and home.