Vietnam’s southern provinces seek to end stay-at-work arrangements

Many companies in the southern part of the country are seeking approval to allow their staff to go back to their own residences.
Taiwan sees fall in furloughed workers in first week of August

This was largely due to the improvement in employment in the F&B, wholesale and retail sectors, based on official data.
Employers to exercise discretion on mandating vaccination: Australian PM

The country will not enact special laws to mandate vaccination, but employers can make inoculation compulsory in high-risk environments.
Reopening of Malaysian businesses depends on risk of COVID-19 infection

Malaysia’s National Security Council is expected to announce the reopening of business sectors on the week of August 9.,
India’s female labour participation fell to 16.1%

Recently released government statistics showed that the employment rate of women dropped to 16.1% in the third quarter last year.
Japan’s summer bonuses fall for third consecutive year

The survey by the Japan Business Federation found that the pandemic impacted businesses in the non-manufacturing sectors the most.
Singapore to allow 50% of staff to return to workplaces from August 19

Up to half of employees will be permitted to return to their workplaces starting August 19 as the country prepares to relax its pandemic restrictions.
Malaysia creates 320,000 jobs through dedicated jobs programme

To help people find jobs, the government has allocated RM2 billion (US$0.47 billion) under the PenjanaKerjaya programme.
Employers should not use government relief funds for workers’ pay

Taiwan’s New Power Party (NPP) has raised the issue of employers using pandemic relief funds to pay their staff’s salaries.
New Zealand’s wage inflation rises 2.1% in the year-to-June quarter

The labour cost index (LCI) of all salary and wages, including overtime pay, increased by 2.1%, showing an increase of 1.6% in the year-to-March 2021 quarter.
Japan steps up vaccination at more workplaces

More workplaces are scheduled to start their on-site vaccination programmes In August, said prime minister Yoshihide Suga.
South Korea officially sets next year’s minimum wage rate at 9,160 won

The new rate will take effect on 1 January 2022, translating to a monthly wage of 1.91 million won (US$1,672), and will apply across all industries.
Companies urges Thai government to grant tax relief for vaccinations

Companies have asked the government to allow them to deduct the cost of vaccinating their employees from their corporate taxes.
New Zealand’s unemployment rate falls to 4% in June quarter

The number of unemployed people declined by 12.4%, marking the largest quarterly percentage fall in unemployment since 1986.
India’s jobless rate at 4-month low in July

The unemployment rate in the country fell to 6.95% in July – the lowest in four months, an indication of possible recovery in the labour market.
Singapore provides working parents with more benefits

Parents who were previously not eligible for paternity or adoption leave can now qualify for benefits up to S$30,000.
Malaysian fresh grads urged to gain new skills to boost employability

Fresh graduates and first-time job seekers need to brace themselves for stiff competition amid the economic downturn caused by the pandemic.
Chinese Premier Li exhorts efforts to improve human resource services

He urged support for skilled talent and the gig economy to foster entrepreneurial capabilities and innovation to build new growth momentum.
Why post-COVID remote may not be as rosy as you think

Peter Cappelli highlights why organisations need to invest more time into thinking through their work-from-home policies.
New paradigm of talent management driving the future of work

HR Tech Festival Asia Online 2021 will highlight how organisations need to rethink talent management strategies as the workplace continues to evolve.
Mandatory vaccination for key-sector workers in Hong Kong

Civil servants, teachers and healthcare workers must get inoculated against COVID-19 or pay for regular testing.
Japan considers fresh COVID-19 stimulus package

Lawmakers have since escalated calls for a new relief package, with the idea of an extra budget valued at 30 trillion yen being floated around.
Cambodia approves projects that will create 9,500 jobs

The Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC) has approved eight new projects worth US$71.4 million expected to create over 9,500 jobs.
Malaysian Employers Federation seeks to be part of reopening stakeholders

The Malaysian government aims to fully reopen the economy by October earliest, based around recommendations by the National Recovery Council.
Leading the change: Reinventing the HR experience

SAP SuccessFactors’ SEA HR Connect 2021 virtual event will exemplify ways to build an interconnected business by reinventing HR.
Japan’s unemployment rate falls to 2.9% in June

The recovery was attributed to hiring at pandemic-hit restaurants and retailers as the state of emergency was lifted in some areas.
Philippines seeks additional funds to help workers through lockdown

Formal workers will be able to receive a one-time cash assistance of P$5,000 (US$100) under the COVID-19 Adjustment Measure Programme.
HR development key for Indonesia’s advancement

Finance Minister Sri Mulyani has called for the development of human resources as a priority for Indonesia’s continued development.
Positive correlations between recognition and key business metrics

Meijer turned to Achievers to implement a formal recognition programme that will recognise and reward team members for their daily contributions.
Laos urges the unemployed to seek help in finding jobs

The Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare has urged local officials to provide information on the number of unemployed people who need assistance.