Vietnam proposes another US$1.13 billion pandemic aid package
To offer financial aid to those affected by the pandemic, the government is planning a VND26-trillion (US$1.13-billion) package.
Australia’s NSW new parental leave policy takes effect
Beginning July 1, public sector workers will have access to 14 weeks of paid parental leave in the state of New South Wales.
Cambodia’s PM urges companies to self-test their employees for COVID-19
To effectively contain the spread of COVID-19, companies and private enterprises should equip themselves to do testing by themselves.
World Bank supports India’s informal sector workers
A US$500 million World Bank programme will invest in social protection schemes for urban informal workers, gig-workers, and migrants.
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.
Employer group in the Philippines opposes 10-day service incentive leave
The Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) is against increasing the number of service incentive leave days mandated by law.
South Korean companies to hire 24% more staff in Q2 & Q3
Companies with five or more permanent staff are planning to hire 24% more employees in the six-month period ending this September.
Thailand announces 7.5 billion baht COVID-19 relief package
The payout will cover over 690,000 employees across six high-risk provinces, paying out half their wages with a cap of 7,500 baht.
The future of work is now: Prudential Singapore
With forward-looking initiatives that are focused on flexibility and adaptability, the life insurer is forging the way in building a future-ready workforce.
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.
Driving change in leadership, culture and employee experience
Taking place from September 21-23, HR Tech Festival Asia Online 2021 will help define HR’s roadmap for 2022.
South Korea to cover more workers under its state employment insurance
From July, more employees, including those hired under special contracts, will be covered under the state employment insurance scheme.
Japan avoids workplace vaccination being concentrated in big cities
The government is preventing vaccination programme at workplaces from being concentrated in major cities.
Unions urge New South Wales government to introduce vaccination leave
They also called on the Australian government to provide such leave to casual and contract workers.
Many Australians made jobless at the start of pandemic were under 25
Out of the 592,000 Australians who lost their employment in April 2020, 38% were aged between 15 and 24.
Two in three SMEs in Malaysia pessimistic on recovery for 2021
A survey revealed that only 16% of SMEs expect their businesses to recover only in 2023, citing movement restrictions as dampening business demand.
Governments urged to build comprehensive WFH policies
Earlier in June, India issued an advisory to encourage WFH for all nursing mothers for at least a year, in jobs where remote work is possible.
India seeks to reduce gender gap in the workplace
India has fallen 28 places to rank 140th among 156 countries in gender gap parity, according to a World Economic Forum report.
Taiwan to approve 1 million pandemic relief loans
More than double the expected 500,000 people had applied for COVID-19 relief loans from the Ministry of Labour (MOL).
Singapore extends deadlines for loan repayments
With continued economic recovery, the central bank intends to move away from industry-wide credit reliefs to more targeted support measures.
Malaysia provides assistance to workers and employers
The Ministry of Human Resources has urged workers and employers affected by the pandemic to apply for benefits under the Employment Insurance System.
New Zealand retail workers’ pay rises 6.1%
Amid a shortage of experienced retail staff, employers have been forced to increase wages to retain and attract talent.
Most Japan companies plan to conduct workplace COVID-19 vaccinations
To speed up the vaccination rate in the country, a nationwide plan allows companies and universities to run their own vaccination drives.
Australia’s NSW state to launch paid miscarriage leave
All New South Wales (NSW) public-sector workers will be entitled to five days of paid leave if they suffer a miscarriage of a child.
Singapore employers to get S$2.2 billion in wage subsidies
Under the Jobs Support Scheme, more than 140,000 employers will receive wage subsidies totaling S$2.2 billion (US$1.6 billion) from June 30.
South Korea undecided on minimum wage rate
The Minimum Wage Commission reported that the current minimum hourly wage rate of 8,720 won (US$7.69) is not sufficient to cover the cost of living.
Japan engages companies to boost vaccination drive
Vaccination in the country is getting a shot in the arm as thousands of companies start inoculating their employees.
Malaysia turns to e-payrolls to streamline business operations
The digital system will be able to automate and combine various payroll, compensation and deduction functions into one simple application.
Eight factors to consider when creating a new hybrid plan
Josh Bersin highlights the key considerations that will help create an effective, safe and productive approach to hybrid work.
HR Tech Festival Asia Online 2021: Defining HR’s roadmap for 2022
Taking place from September 21-23, Asia’s largest HR Tech event of 2021 will highlight the key drivers of leadership, culture and employee experience in 2022.