How to create a sense of belonging at the workplace
A new report from the Achievers Workforce Institute details how organisations can improve employee engagement by creating a sense of belonging.
Australia mulls nationwide workplace vaccination
Large businesses in the private sector are encouraged to come on board to speed up the rollout of COVID-19 vaccinations.
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.
Cash benefits given to Singaporean parents ineligible for parental leave
The new measures will allow parents to qualify for paternity, maternity and adoption benefits of up to S$30,000, depending on their income.
Japan PM’s adviser proposes 3% increase in minimum wages
David Atkinson, a member of the government’s growth strategy panel, has called for minimum wages to be raised by at least 3% in fiscal 2021.
Malaysia approves RM$1.3 billion in wage subsidies
The funds have been channelled to 75,262 employers, allowing them to maintain employment of 659,066 workers.
Singapore supports SMEs in new S$1.2-billion package
A new S$1.2-billion (US$890.2-million) support package is designed to help small-and-medium enterprises (SMEs) cope with the pandemic.
WFH government employees in the Philippines reimbursed
Government workers who work from home due to the pandemic can claim for internet expenses of P75-300 (US$1.5-6.1) per month.
Malaysia’s central bank allocates additional RM$4 billion loan facility
The facility aims to provide relief and support the recovery of SMEs in the services sector, and brings the total allocation to RM$6 billion.
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.