Philippines disbursed US$215.9 million in maternity benefits in 2020
The level of disbursement was almost double the average annual release of US$126.79 million, before the maternity leave law was expanded in 2019.
Cambodia’s public servants risk losing jobs if they refuse vaccinations
While many civil servants and armed forces personnel had come forward for their jabs, there are some who do not want to receive inoculations.
Taiwan urges for laws to grant unpaid leave days for vaccination
The MOL has asked the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) to enact new laws allowing employees to take unpaid leave for vaccination.
Malaysia mulls giving a day off for employees to get jab
The Human Resources Ministry and the Ministry of Health are deliberating whether employees should be given an off-day to get their COVID-19 inoculations.
Beijing colour codes city buildings to show worker vaccination levels
The move taps on a system the government introduced last year that requires people to show a green code before they can enter most public venues.
Business sentiment strong among Singapore SMEs
The sentiment index for Q2’21 and Q3’21 hit 49.9, rising from an index of 48.2 in the previous quarter, marking the highest reading since COVID-19 began.
Unemployment continues to drop in Singapore
The Ministry of Manpower reported a fourth consecutive month of decline in the overall unemployment rate in Singapore
Australian government against minimum wage raise
The government is not raising minimum wages after ending its JobKeeper programme on March 28, citing job creation as one of its priorities.
Japan saw real wages grow in February
Inflation-adjusted real wages, a key measure of households’ purchasing power, rose 0.2% year-on-year in February, according to the labour ministry.
South Korea’s revised labour law allows more flexibile work week
The Ministry of Employment and Labour has increased the period which employers can have more flexibility in implementing the 52-hour work week.
South Korea’s revision of law leaves labourers still vulnerable
The latest revision of the Workplace Harassment Prevention Law (WHPL) fails to protect subcontractors and labourers facing harassment.
Malaysia’s unemployment rate expected to ease to 4.3% in 2021
Despite the improved outlook, the labour market is constrained by factors such as
a mismatch between qualifications and job opportunities.
Philippines extends lockdown in Manila as COVID-19 cases spike
President Rodrigo Duterte has extended a strict lockdown in Manila and adjacent provinces by at least a week.
Mumbai orders WFH amid COVIF-19 case surge
All non-essential services like malls, beauty salons and places of worship were ordered to shut operations from Monday.
Japan approves law raising retirement age to 70
The Cabinet has approved bills requiring companies to retain their workers until they are 70 years old, effectively raising the retirement age from 65 to 70.
IMF urges governments to sustain wage subsidies until COVID-19 eases
Uncertainties about the pandemic and the situation forward means that the phase-out of such support measures will be complicated, said the IMF.
India postpones implementation of new labour codes
The central government has postponed the implementation of four new labour codes originally scheduled to be rolled out on April 1.
Employee engagement key to retain talent in 2021
A new Achievers Workforce Institute report aims to help HR and business leaders connect the dots on engagement and retention to reduce turnover.
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.