Japan government panel calls for more support as wages hike
The government has been asked to ensure that the support to events, tourism and F&B from vaccinations lead to a sustained recovery.
Australian employer groups call for flexibility in workplace laws
Major employer groups have called for revived powers to reduce workers’ hours, stand staff down and direct people to take annual leave.
Singapore businesses call for more COVID-19 support
Amid tighter COVID-19 measures, the associations have asked for rental rebates, foreign worker levies and an extension of bank loan moratoriums.
Vietnam offers interest-free loans for companies to pay salaries
Companies can now apply for interest-free loans to pay furloughed staff and salaries from the Vietnam Bank for Social Policies.
China’s gig economy workers encouraged to form unions
The state labour union voiced out that gig workers should have stronger worker protection and labour rights.
Singapore announces new support package as social curbs tightened
Targeted support will be provided for businesses and workers affected by the latest tightened safe management measures from July 22 to August 18.
Fewer women will rejoin workforce than men amid COVID-19 recovery
In 2021, there will be 13 million fewer employed women as compared to 2019, said the International Labour Organisation.
Young South Koreans take 10 months to find their first job
Statistics Korea’s data showed that it takes an average of 10.1 months for Koreans aged between 15 and 29 to land their first job.
Hong Kong’s unemployment rate in Q2 2021 falls to 5.5%
Some 213,000 people are still out of jobs, but this is 20,200 fewer than the preceding quarter, as Hong Kong’s labour market continues to recover.
Cambodia gives cash subsidies to pandemic-affected workers
Employees in the garment and tourism industries whose employment contracts have been suspended can expect cash subsidies.
South Korean business lobby set to challenge new minimum wage rate
This comes after the country’s minimum wage commission set the new minimum wage rate at 9,160 won (US$7.94) per hour for 2022.
Remote working in Japan falls in July amid telework fatigue
The proportion of people working completely remotely in a recent week in July stood at 11.6%, down from 18.5% in April.
Philippine government prefers hybrid work model
A group of businessmen has urged the Inter-Agency Task Force to permit employees to go back to their workplaces once 80% of workers are vaccinated.
How to improve organisational engagement and recognition
A new report from Achievers looks to address the disconnect between management and employees when it comes to engagement and recognition
Self-employment among women in New Zealand rises
The country’s statistics department Stats NZ said the number of self-employed women increased 13.9% year-on-year to 143,500 in March.
Australia’s unemployment rate falls to 4.9% in June
However, underemployment crept up by 0.5% to 7.9% as the economy responded to lockdowns in the states of Victoria and New South Wales.
Thailand approves 42 billion baht COVID-19 stimulus package
The financial aid will apply to companies in the sectors of construction, hotels, food services, art, entertainment and recreation in affected provinces.
Japan to raise average minimum wage by 3.1%
The labour ministry has recommended raising the national average minimum wage by 3.1% to 930 yen (US$8.43) per hour.
Over 50% of gig workers in New Zealand earn below minimum wage
Some 30% of gig workers estimated their hourly wage after expenses to be between NZ$18.90 and 2021’s scheduled minimum wage of NZ$20.
South Korea raises minimum wage for 2022
The Minimum Wage Commission (MWC) has set the country’s minimum wage for next year at 9,160 won (US$8) per hour.
Malaysia doles out additional RM$500 aid to small businesses
The payout will be on top of the RM$1,000 assistance which was credited to the companies’ bank accounts in mid-June this year.
Australian state offers financial aid to businesses amid lockdown
The New South Wales (NSW) and federal governments have announced a financial assistance package to keep businesses afloat.
Lockdowns hamper job gains in the Philippines
The Department of Finance (DOF) has said lockdowns caused by new variants of COVID-19 will slow the recovery of job gains.
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.
Singapore needs to create more jobs in the face of competition
The government has been urged to balance the employment needs of local workers while remaining open to foreign investment and manpower
South Korea trails APAC neighbours in female employment rate
South Korea ranks 30th place out of 36 OECD countries, and falls behind Japan, New Zealand, and Australia.
Four big questions to answer about work after COVID
US-based Futurist and Technology Commentator John Sumser poses the key questions organisations should ask as they rebuild from the pandemic.
Singapore reviews measures for workplace discrimination
The Ministry of Manpower (MOM), together with unions and employer groups, will review the Tripartite Guidelines on Fair Employment Practices
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.
New law on workplace disaster opposed in South Korea
Employer groups are opposing a new law that will allow CEOs to be punished, even by imprisonment, for serious workplace disasters.