Japan to review COVID-19 subsidies for businesses

Officials are concerned that small and medium-sized firms in the country will grow to be overly depend on the subsidies.
Vietnam’s unemployment insurance supports over 5 million workers

More than 5 million workers affected by the pandemic have received assistance from the unemployment insurance fund.
New Zealand’s unemployment falls to record low in Q3’21

The number of unemployed people declined by 18,000 in the third quarter to 98,000, and marks the lowest unemployment level since 2008.
Singapore to raise retirement and re-employment ages

The retirement and re-employment ages for employees will be progressively raised under the law to enable older Singaporeans to continue working.
Malaysia to equip workers with more digital skills

An enhanced hiring and training incentive programme targets businesses that are offering digital tech and services roles.
Business recovery to receive boost in Metro Manila

The government is planning to lower Metro Manila’s pandemic restrictions to Alert Level 2 from November 15 until the end of the year.
Japan’s job availability improves in September

On October 1, the government lifted the country’s state of emergency amid a sharp drop in new COVID-19 cases, prompting businesses to hire staff.
How CHROs can help build the future organisation

HRM Asia’s CHRO Online Series 2021 continues November 18 with CHRO Malaysia re-examining the role of HR leaders in the future organisation.
Malaysia’s 2022 budget to focus on job creation

One of the main priorities of next year’s budget is creating employment opportunities in a time when many have lost their jobs or had their salaries cut.
South Korea’s wage divide between sectors widens

Workers in internet service firms saw their pay rising in the first half of 2021, while those in the travel sector experienced a slump.
Lower-wage workers in Singapore to get pay increase

Workers with gross monthly salaries of up to S$2,000 (US$1,482) should get a 4.5% to 7.5% raise of between S$70 (US$51.9) and S$90 (US$66.7).
Hong Kong to offer flexible employment for mothers

Chief Executive Carrie Lam noted that it was important to retain mothers in the workforce while offering them better childcare support.
Malaysia priorities safety of employees working from home

Malaysia is making amendments to the Employment Act 1955 on flexible work to ensure employees can work safely from home.
Low wage workers to benefit from Australia’s new superannuation law

The introduction of the regulation will abolish the current A$450 minimum threshold for workers to qualify for superannuation.
Singapore’s resident employment increased in Q3

The Manpower Ministry (MOM) said the labour market saw a rise in resident employment and fewer retrenchments compared to Q2.
South Korea’s presidential hopeful mulls four-day workweek pledge

Lee Jae-myung believes that the implementation of a four-day workweek will create more jobs and cut working hours in the country.
Why more HR tech is not necessarily better

Steve Boese explains why it is more important to use HR to support employees at a personal level, and be mindful of how employees respond.
13th-month pay in the Philippines to be pro-rated

The Department of Labour and Employment (DOLE) has issued guidelines on the release of the 13th month pay for this year.
Employers in Malaysia required to bear full cost of hiring foreign workers

Foreign workers are currently required to undergo a mandatory quarantine period of seven days at a government-certified quarantine centre.
Indonesia considers minimum wage increase in 2022

The speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives says doing so will improve the welfare of workers affected by the pandemic.
Australian business groups call for uniformed COVID-19 vaccine mandates

The Council of Small Business Organisations Australia (Cosboa) said a standardised approach would offer clarity for small businesses.
Technology can play key role in advancing careers in Asia-Pacific

A new study by Oracle and Workplace Intelligence found that employees believe technology will help support and advance their careers.
Temp staff in South Korea rises to 38.4% of working population

The proportion of non-regular employees has increased by 2.1 percentage points to 38.4% of the labour force in August year-on-year.
Reimagining employee experience for a hybrid workforce

A recent webinar presented by Workday and HRM Asia highlighted why employee experience is a priority as hybrid working grows.
Job ads in Malaysia rose in second quarter of 2021

Roles in the professional, scientific and technical sectors contributed to the bulk of job opportunities for candidates.
New Zealand makes vaccination mandatory for hospitality staff

Employees of businesses where customers are required to show vaccine certificates will be given four weeks to also get the jab or face sacking
Thailand to regulate digital platform businesses

To maintain financial and commercial stability, such businesses will have to provide notification before commencing operations.
How HR can help build the future organisation

HRM Asia’s CHRO Online Series 2021 will kick off on October 28 with CHRO Indonesia examining the role HR can play in building the future organisation.
India’s first National Employment Policy to create more jobs

The government will form a committee to set up India’s first National Employment Policy to significantly raise employment in the country.
Unvaccinated workers in Singapore could lose their jobs

From 1 January 2022, workers who refuse to disclose their COVID-19 vaccination status will be treated as unvaccinated.