Recovery memo not needed to return to work in Singapore
Workers will not be required to present memos from general practitioners (GPs) to prove that they have recovered from COVID-19 infections.
Average wage of foreign employees in South Korea to exceed 30 million won
This prediction is based on year-end tax adjustments of foreign employees’ official tax data, with the majority of these workers coming from China.
Minimum wage increase opposed by Malaysian business group
The Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF) said the proposed increase in the national minimum wage to RM1,500 (US$359) will shutter struggling businesses.
Hong Kong considers short-term subsidy for jobless residents
Prior to this, the authorities had said that those who were unemployed could get help from existing social welfare schemes.
Lifelong learning key for success of hybrid work
Peter Kokkinos, VP For Asia Pacific Udemy Business, highlights how organisations can grow in a hybrid world of work.
Singapore companies urged to have business continuity plans in place
Businesses should have procedures for staff to work longer hours to cover the work of their colleagues as Omicron cases rise, said a tripartite advisory.
WFH blurs boundaries between work and play, says WHO
WHO also highlighted some positives from teleworking, which was found to have a positive effect on self-reported health.
Malaysia forms government body for job creation and placement
The Government Industry TVET Coordination Body, or GITC, is a collaboration hub to place graduates into relevant jobs.
Bill for “right to disconnect” filed in the Philippines
If House Bill 10717 is enacted, it could be against the law for employers to contact their staff outside working hours.
Job availability in Japan falls for third straight year
The ratio of job availability stood at 1.13 in 2021, indicating that there were 113 openings for every 100 jobseekers, down 0.05 points from 2020.
Unemployment rate in India drops to 11-month low
The unemployment rate fell to 6.57% in January – the lowest since March last year, contributed by a decrease in rural unemployment.
Firms in New Zealand ask for cheaper unemployment insurance scheme
The government has proposed a compulsory national income insurance scheme which would replace 80% of a workers’ income, up to a cap of NZ$130,911.
Most South Korean mothers want to remain in workforce
Out of the female workers who worked until giving birth, 77.5% either went back to work or plan to return to work after childbirth.
Calls to increase wages in Philippines seen as untimely
Although the country sees some signs of recovery, the situation still remains “very unstable”, said a labour official.
Laos set for first minimum wage raise since 2018
The government has begun discussion on raising the national minimum wage this March amid rising inflation and the increasing cost of living.
Japanese businesses repay COVID-19 subsidies amid crackdown
As of January 21, a total of 5.26 trillion yen (US$45.5 billion) had been distributed in employment subsidies.
Singapore’s total employment rebounds in Q4 last year
Q4 of 2021 saw total employment growing 47,400 compared to the decline of 2,400 in the third quarter, said the Ministry of Manpower (MOM).
Workplace safety measures bolstered in South Korea as new law takes effect
Businesses face harsher sentences of a minimum one-year prison sentence or up to 1 billion won in fines in the event of fatal workplace accidents.
Call for faster pay hikes for low-paid workers in the Philippines
Labour group Partido Manggagawa (PM) has urged companies to raise wages of low-paid workers faster than those who earn higher salaries.
Vietnam’s digital transformation accelerated in 2021
Digital transformation is a new engine driving Vietnam’s socio-economic development, facilitating the country’s economic recovery.
The three biggest questions HR leaders will face in 2022
Achievers’ Matt Seadon shares the biggest questions that HR leaders will have to tackle in 2022 as they shape and redefine the post-pandemic workplace
Indonesia urges regions to boost workers’ digital literacy
The Communication and Informatics Ministry is encouraging regional governments to boost the digital literacy of human resources in their regions.
Hybrid work will be default for Singapore’s public employees
Hybrid working would likely become a permanent feature of the public sector workforce, according to the Office of the Clerk of Parliament.
Trade union calls for raise of New Zealand’s minimum wage
The minimum wage should be increased as annual inflation in the country has hit a 30-year high of 5.9%, says the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions.
Japanese workers accept lack of pay hike, says trade union leader
In this year’s wage talks, Rengo is aiming for salary hikes of around 4%, including pay scale raises of around 2% and regular wage hikes.
Thailand considering hike in minimum wages
The Labour Ministry will conduct a feasibility study on increasing the minimum daily wage as the prices of consumer goods, food, and fuel increase.
Singapore expects to create over 17,000 new jobs over next five years
This is attributed to the fixed asset investments received in 2021, as well as the reopening of travel in the second half of the year.
Indonesian companies should not use minimum wage as effective wage
Manpower Minister Ida Fauziyah has said the widespread practice of companies using minimum wage as the effective wage needs to be addressed
Employees in Malaysia promised fair maternity leave and allowance
Following complaints of ambiguity, the Women’s Aid Organisation said it sought clarification from Malaysia’s human resource ministry.
Japan continues to debate feasibility of wage hike
Contrary to the Prime Minister’s call, the Japan Business Federation says it is difficult to set a blanket level of salary increases for all companies.