Google prioritises in-person collaboration with office reopening
Google is reopening some of its US offices with employees returning to the office on a voluntary basis from April.
Singapore government incentive boosts hiring of locals
Almost half of the 130,000 hires were not employed at the point of hire and over a quarter had been unemployed for over six months.
Thailand sets up pension fund to support ageing population
The Cabinet has approved the setting up of the National Pension Fund (NPF), a new mandatory retirement savings scheme for formal sector workers.
More workers in Malaysia to return to the workplace from April
The level of office attendance for civil servants is subjected to the Public Service Department, while the private sector is allowed to have 100% of staff back.
New Zealand raises minimum wage from April 1
Beginning April 1, the minimum hourly wage in the country will increase to NZ$20 (US$14) from the current NZ$18.9 (US$13.2).
Displaced workers hired as contact tracers in the Philippines
The Department of Labour and Employment would provide emergency employment to informal workers who lost their jobs.
48% of wage workers in South Korea willing to be vaccinated
Less than half of salaried workers surveyed are willing to be inoculated against the coronavirus, as uncertainty remains over potential side effects.
India considers yoga to boost workplace productivity
The committee set up to study evidence on the matter comprise members from education and yoga institutions, as well as the corporate sector.
Hoteliers in Malaysia must pay out service charges collected to staff
The court judgment read that service charge, being monies collected from third parties, does not belong to the hotel, and should be transferred to employees.
Kellogg fuels their global workforce with frequent recognition
Kellogg picked the Achievers Employee Success Platform to redefine their recognition and rewards programme goals.
Malaysia amending employment law to cater for WFH
The government is proposing a change to the current employment law to support a work-from-home (WFH) culture even in the post-pandemic era.
Australian unions call for minimum wage hike as wage support ends
The wage hike to A$26 a week would allow low-wage workers to spend more, and is an effective way of spurring local businesses.
Taiwan approves bill for workers’ accident insurance in small companies
The bill proposes that companies employing less than five workers must insure their staff for occupational accidents.
Tokyo continues with earlier closing times for F&B businesses
Tokyo and neighbouring prefectures are mandating food-and-beverage businesses to close earlier to reduce the risk of a rebound of pandemic cases.
New Zealand approves bereavement leave for miscarriages and stillbirth
The bill will apply to parents, their partners, and parents planning to have a child through surrogacy or adoption, but will exclude abortion.
1 million pandemic-displaced persons still jobless in South Korea
In February, out of the 1.35 million persons officially unemployed, 999,000 had lost their jobs due to the pandemic.
To boost wages, Australia’s jobless rate needs to fall
Before interest rates are raised, the unemployment rate will likely need to fall to between the “low 4s” and “high 3s”, said RBA deputy governor Guy Debelle.
Women trade union group in Malaysia calls for 98 days of maternity leave
Wanita Industrial Malaysia (WIM), a trade union coalition representing female workers, has urged the government to mandate 98 days of maternity leave.
Singapore adopts flexible and hybrid work model
Remote working will be scaled down in the South-East Asian country as more employees are allowed to return to the workplace.
Upskilling and reskilling key in shaping the future of L&D
Day 2 of Learning Technologies Asia 2021 saw leading companies share key insights on creating successful L&D strategies.
More South Korean women in their 30s drop out of the workforce
The labour force participation rate of women peaks between ages 25 and 29, before it plunges in the 30s as women leave work to care for their children.
L&D driving organisational growth in a new world of work
Day 1 of Learning Technologies Asia 2021 highlighted issues such as reskilling and upskilling, as well as how organisations need to rethink employee engagement.
Japan plans to increase minimum hourly wages to 1,000 yen
Prime minister Yoshihide Suga has said he targets to raise the country’s average minimum hourly wage to 1,000 yen (US$9.2) as soon as possible.
Philippines launches online information and comms programme
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has launched a Q&A educational video series – Sagot Ka Ng DOLE.
Agile and skills-ready workforce for a changing world
A recent webinar by Workday highlighted how a skilled and engaged workforce is key to building an agile organisation.
Singapore to disburse S$940 million in wage credits by end-March
The government will co-fund 15% of qualifying wage increases given in 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020 to more than 800,000 Singaporean employees.
Philippines senator backs bill to ensure workers’ health insurance
The senator’s call came after Quezon City’s local government confirmed that the rise in COVID-19 cases was also stemming from the workplace.
Japanese employers offer lowest salary increase in 8 years
Companies are offering the lowest pay rises in eight years – signaling an end to former prime minister Shinzo Abe’s stimulus policies.
Private sector workers should receive free vaccinations in the Philippines
Workers who refuse to be vaccinated shall not be discriminated against in terms of tenure, promotion, training, pay, and other benefits.
What are the top priorities facing HR leaders in 2021?
HR Tech Fest Connect 2021 will explore the emerging trends and priorities that will define HR and work tech in 2021.