Hong Kong’s minimum wage to remain at HK$37.50 an hour
The decision was made after a review from government officials, academics and business representatives showed majority consensus.
Union calls for wage subsidies in the Philippines
The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) has called on the government to provide immediate subsidies for workers struggling financially.
New Zealand’s tech sector constrained by skills mismatch
The majority of roles being recruited are not for entry level positions, indicating a longer-term skills shortage for senior talent.
Malaysian youths exhorted to keep abreast of digitalisation
Yayasan Peneraju said the country’s young human capital needs to be retrained and upskilled to keep up with digitalisation trends.
India proposes launch of portal to collect gig worker data
The data could help formulate health, housing, skill, insurance, credit and food schemes for migrant workers, says the finance minister.
Ascender to be acquired by Ceridian
The transaction, which is expected to close in the second quarter of 2021, will see the companies providing the ‘most comprehensive’ payroll and human capital management solutions in APJ.
Singapore fines companies which breached COVID-19 safety rules
The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has fined 42 more companies for not following workplace safety regulations.
Japan’s youths hit hard by pandemic-led job losses
While the number of regular jobs increased 0.5% in 2020, that of non-regular jobs — including part-time roles — fell 3.9%.
Workers in the Philippines to be upskilled in AI
The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has launched an AI programme to prepare workers for disruption from technological advancement.
Companies in Malaysia to help with COVID-19 vaccination and tests
This will help the country manage the economy better, and help industry players affected by the pandemic, Malaysia’s HR minister says.
New Zealand’s union calls for sick leave for new employees
The Council of Trade Unions (CTU) is pushing for the removal of the rule that workers must be employed for six months before getting sick leave.
Opportunities for gig-working in India rises
India’s lockdown period saw companies adopt a WFH arrangement for their staff, cutting down on staff strength, hiring freelancers and outsourcing tasks.
Taiwan protects working rights of middle-aged and senior workers
The Executive Yuan has passed a new Act to address the challenges of an ageing population and potential future labour shortages.
Only 37% of firms meet Japan government’s push to telecommute
The survey by business lobby Keidanren also found that the number of people commuting to work was reduced by 65%, or around 870,000.
Singapore’s resident employment rebounds to pre-pandemic levels
At the end of 2020, resident employment increased by 28,900, rising for the second consecutive quarter after growing 43,200 in 3Q.
Malaysia’s wage subsidies total RM20.7 billion in payouts
The third phase of the country’s wage subsidy programme will receive an additional injection of RM500 million.
Cambodia’s manufacturing and service sectors create the most jobs
A recent government press release showed that the manufacturing and service sectors created the most jobs in the country over the last decade.
Women in India hit harder in employment due to pandemic
Out of those who could retain their jobs, about 83% of women workers in India faced a severe income drop, said Oxfam India.
Top employers are reinventing the role of HR
Working with Asia-Pacific’s top organisations, Top Employers Institute is continuing to identify trends in HR strategies and workplace practices.
Employers in Singapore urged to adopt hybrid working arrangements
Multi-ministry COVID-19 taskforce co-chair and education minister Lawrence Wong has said a total work-from-home arrangement is “not doable”.
Thailand rolls out jobs support to tourism workers
The Tourism Council of Thailand wants to implement a dedicated support programme for tourism workers to reskill and upskill by March.
China created 11.86 million new jobs in 2020
The human resources ministry said the country’s employment situation improved quarter by quarter in 2020, exceeding expectations.
Pandemic dulls outlook for pay hikes at Japan’s annual wage talks
Japan’s Business Federation says companies should have more financial leeway and pay hikes are unrealistic amid the economic uncertainty.
SMEs in Vietnam to benefit from broader access to soft loans
A strong, effective and sustainable lending mechanism is important to remove credit barriers facing SMEs.
Investment in upskilling can boost GDP by US$6.5 trillion by 2030
Skills enhancement would ensure that workers have the experience and skills needed for the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
Majority of employees in Taiwan generally satisfied with jobs
A survey by the Ministry of Labour (MOL) found that 71.2% of workers were generally satisfied with their jobs, with 3.7% being dissatisfied.
Hong Kong banks on innovative tech for city’s economic recovery
The government’s intervention and support are crucial in the early stage of innovation and tech development, says city financial chief.
Malaysia: Reskilling workers better strategy than wage subsidies
The government’s strategy to mitigate the effects of the pandemic should be to upskill or reskill workers instead of continuing to pay wage subsidies.
Japan government revises paternity leave to promote time off
The government has been encouraging men to take paternity leave, but the practice is not common in Japan, which suffers from a declining birth rate.
Pandemic causes South Korea’s wage disparity to widen
The Korea Employment Information Service (Keis) said South Korea’s income gap increased by 4% year-on-year in 2020 due to the fallout from COVID-19.