Asia Employment Pensions and Incentives update: May 2024

Our e-bulletin this month starts with a look at Singapore where increased penalties for safety breaches under the Workplace Safety and Health Act Subsidiary Legislation came into effect on 1 June 2024. Click here for more details.

Over in Mainland China, we take a look at six classic cases on employment disputes that were recently released by the Supreme People's Court. Click here for summaries of these cases, which cover issues such as deemed employment relationships, non-competition, compliance with contractual handover obligations upon termination of employment and paternity leave.

In Indonesia, the House of Representatives passed a draft bill enhancing maternity and paternity leave entitlements. Click here to see a summary of the new requirements, which are expected to come into effect by July 2024.

Next, our Asia Comparative article this month looks at the obligations and trends relating to the gender pay gap across Malaysia, Japan, India and the Philippines. Click here to compare the rules.

Be sure also to check out this month's Compliance Check, which considers the additional mandatory terms of employment in Japan, which recently came into effect from 1 April this year. Click here to make sure your company is compliant.

Earlier this month, we organised a seminar that brought together our employment and litigation teams to discuss recent trends, key challenges, and strategies for managing post-employment restraint litigation in Singapore and Hong Kong. This topic has been in high demand as employers are keen to understand how to manage risks during recruitment and consider legal action against employees who breach post-employment restraints after termination, especially when key employees join competitors. If you were unable to attend the seminar, you can access the recording here. 
 

Fatim Jumabhoy
Managing Partner, Singapore
Head of Employment, Pensions & Incentives, Asia