China seeks to protect rights of workers in flexible employment

The government is working out new laws to protect the rights of workers, especially those in flexible employment.
Incorporating D&I into recognition to drive workplace success

A new report from the Achievers Workforce Institute highlights the importance of integrating D&I initiatives with employee recognition programmes.
Australia’s Victoria state trials sick leave for casual workers

Consultation for the trial programme will open this month, and the scheme is slated to start in early 2022.
DOLE identifies ‘safe’ establishments in the Philippines

Business owners have been urged to get safety seals for their establishments in the country’s efforts to re-open the economy.
Taiwan’s self-employed to benefit from government subsidies

Self-employed workers who earned less than NT$408,000 in 2020, and who have been impacted by the pandemic, will be eligible for subsidies.
WFH remains default arrangement in Singapore

Despite the easing of social restrictions in Singapore, companies should continue to ensure their employees work from home, whenever possible.
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.