Australian companies struggle to find suitable employees

According to a survey by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), 27% of businesses have difficulty in finding suitable staff.
India seeks to reduce gender gap in the workplace

India has fallen 28 places to rank 140th among 156 countries in gender gap parity, according to a World Economic Forum report.
Taiwan to approve 1 million pandemic relief loans

More than double the expected 500,000 people had applied for COVID-19 relief loans from the Ministry of Labour (MOL).
Singapore extends deadlines for loan repayments

With continued economic recovery, the central bank intends to move away from industry-wide credit reliefs to more targeted support measures.
Malaysia provides assistance to workers and employers

The Ministry of Human Resources has urged workers and employers affected by the pandemic to apply for benefits under the Employment Insurance System.
Employment a key national priority for Reserve Bank of Australia

The Australian central bank is committed to maintaining a monetary policy that will support the country’s employment and inflation goals.
New Zealand retail workers’ pay rises 6.1%

Amid a shortage of experienced retail staff, employers have been forced to increase wages to retain and attract talent.
Most Japan companies plan to conduct workplace COVID-19 vaccinations

To speed up the vaccination rate in the country, a nationwide plan allows companies and universities to run their own vaccination drives.
Philippine employer groups to create 1 million new jobs

The Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) is leading several business groups in pledging to create at least 1 million new jobs.
Cambodian government doles out subsidy to workers

These are workers who were not able to work due the lockdown, and each will receive about US$40 as part of the social assistance programme.
Australia’s NSW state to launch paid miscarriage leave

All New South Wales (NSW) public-sector workers will be entitled to five days of paid leave if they suffer a miscarriage of a child.
Malaysia remains committed to ensuring business continuity

The government still has a balance of RM$6 billion for its wage subsidy programme, which can guarantee wage payments for 2.7 million workers.
Singapore employers to get S$2.2 billion in wage subsidies

Under the Jobs Support Scheme, more than 140,000 employers will receive wage subsidies totaling S$2.2 billion (US$1.6 billion) from June 30.
South Korea undecided on minimum wage rate

The Minimum Wage Commission reported that the current minimum hourly wage rate of 8,720 won (US$7.69) is not sufficient to cover the cost of living.
Japan engages companies to boost vaccination drive

Vaccination in the country is getting a shot in the arm as thousands of companies start inoculating their employees.
Malaysia turns to e-payrolls to streamline business operations

The digital system will be able to automate and combine various payroll, compensation and deduction functions into one simple application.
Eight factors to consider when creating a new hybrid plan

Josh Bersin highlights the key considerations that will help create an effective, safe and productive approach to hybrid work.
HR Tech Festival Asia Online 2021: Defining HR’s roadmap for 2022

Taking place from September 21-23, Asia’s largest HR Tech event of 2021 will highlight the key drivers of leadership, culture and employee experience in 2022.
Japan promotes 4-day work-week option

The government is supporting the proposal to let employees choose a four-day work week in its annual economic policy guideline.
Malaysian employers group calls for coordinated COVID-19 enforcement

Enforcement authorities create more confusion, instead of allowing employers to focus on carrying out their duties, said the MEF president.
Sacked New Zealand border staff mounts legal challenge to dismissal

A border worker who was dismissed for refusing to get the COVID-19 jab has brought her case to the Employment Relations Authority (ERA).
Australia’s unemployment falls to 5.1% in May 2021

The number of employed women rose by 69,000, while the number of employed men increased by 46,000.
Hong Kong’s unemployment rate falls to a 12-month low

Hong Kong’s jobless rate fell for three consecutive months to a one-year low in May, as the economy continues to recover from the pandemic.
Singapore maintains WFH as default arrangement, extends jobs support

Workers cannot be cross-deployed to multiple worksites, and employers need to implement flexible working hours and staggered start times.
Australia increases minimum wage by 2.5% to benefit 2.2 million workers

The Fair Wage Commission (FWC) has raised the minimum wage and related award minimum wages by 2.5%.
Philippines incentivises vaccinated workers with freebies

Some 1,000 essential workers from Metro Manila and another thousand from other regions are expected to benefit from the programme.
Employment in Singapore recovers better than expected in 1st quarter

Total employment in the country grew in the first quarter this year, signaling a recovery in the local labour market.
Malaysia manufacturers union call for additional COVID-19 stimulus

This follows after the nation extended its movement control order (MCO) 3.0 for another two weeks from June 15 to June 28.
South Korea rejects further extension to delay 52-hour work week

Companies employing between five and 49 workers will have to comply with the 52-hour work week by next month.
Cambodia re-skills unemployed and furloughed workers

6,500 workers have received special and been awarded with a dedicated technical and vocational certificate, in preparation for re-employment.