This weekly compilation of stories from wire services, newspapers and other sources is intended to keep Mercer employees and registered visitors to mercer.com informed of benefits, compensation and HR developments around the world. Facts have not been independently verified, and opinions expressed are those of the editor. Readers are invited to clarify, correct or expand on these items.

The Trade Union Congress of Swaziland will appeal a court ruling that had declared the workers' group illegal. The court found that a law that provides for the registration of workers' unions does not mention union federations. (Mercer Select, 15 May 2013)  More

President rejects minimum wage hike

A minimum wage hike is not among the Ugandan government’s priorities, its president reportedly announced. Critics charge that this abandonment of the minimum wage fixing mechanism leaves Uganda in violation of the ILO minimum wage convention. (Mercer Select, 20 May 2013)  More

Soc sec fund gets retirement scheme license

Uganda's National Social Security Fund has received a provider's license to operate as a retirement benefits scheme under the Uganda Retirement Benefits Regulatory Authority Act of 2011. The pension regulator reportedly received 160 applicants. (Mercer Select, 20 May 2013)  More

2013-14 budget released

The Australian government's 2013-14 budget largely confirms earlier commitments, including superannuation changes and a hike in the Medicare levy. A Mercer report reviews the budget in the context of talent, health, retirement, and investments. (Mercer Select, 20 May 2013)  More

Trans-Tasman portability rules drafted

Draft regulations for implementing the trans-Tasman retirement savings portability scheme were posted by the Australian Treasury. With limited exceptions, the regulations provide that transferred funds will be subject to host country rules. (Mercer Select, 20 May 2013)  More

Bill would raise Medicare levy

Australia's Medicare levy would be raised from 1.5% to 2% to help finance a new disability insurance scheme under legislation introduced by the Treasury. The rise is expected to take effect on 1 Jul 2014. (Mercer Select, 15 May 2013)  More

Global retailers sign Bangladesh union safety accord

Global retail companies have signed a global union accord detailing workplace and fire safety measures for 1,000 Bangladeshi suppliers. It will require termination of supplier contracts where remediation measures are not implemented. (Mercer Select, 20 May 2013)  More

Ministry clarifies work injury insurance law

New guidelines from China's Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security clarify the implementation of the Regulations on Work-Related Injury Insurance. The ministry reportedly has been encouraging employers to provide work injury insurance. (Mercer Select, 20 May 2013)  More

Working hours group plans consultation

Hong Kong's Standard Working Hours Committee plans to stage a public consultation on possible approaches later this year, according to a report from its inaugural meeting. The group has not reached consensus on whether a statutory approach would be best. (Mercer Select, 15 May 2013)  More

Court OKs transsexual marriage

Hong Kong's high court ruled the city's marriage law unconstitutional for denying transsexuals the right to marry someone of the opposite sex. The ruling takes effect in a year, allowing time to revise the law. (Mercer Select, 16 May 2013)  More

Labor reform plans deferred

Japan's deregulation council, charged with drafting a strategy for economic growth, reportedly has retreated on plans for labor market flexibility. Observers suggest that reforms may find a more hospitable environment after this summer's elections. (Mercer Select, 20 May 2013)  More

Pension reform bill advances

Kazakhstan's Senate has approved in first reading a controversial pension reform bill that some analysts had predicted would be shelved. The disputed provision would raise the retirement age for women from 58 to 63 between 2014 and 2023. (Mercer Select, 20 May 2013)  More

Gov't backs unemployment, pension schemes

Deferred plans for an unemployment insurance scheme have been revived, Malaysia's human resources minister reportedly announced. He also has noted the urgent need to complement retirement income from the Employees Provident Fund. (Mercer Select, 15 May 2013)  More

See also: Australia

Trans-Tasman portability rules drafted (Mercer Select, 21 May 2013)  More

Finance minister delivers 2013 budget

New Zealand's 2013 budget includes a two-year extension of the Superannuation Fund government contribution holiday, cuts to levies for the national no-fault insurance system, payment of the minimum wage for family caregivers, and welfare reforms. (Mercer Select, 20 May 2013)  More

Employee relations bill consultation launched

The Ministry of Labor is conducting a public consultation on Tonga's first attempt at a legislative framework for workplace relations. Comments may be submitted until 31 May. The government aims to introduce legislation by the end of August. (Mercer Select, 15 May 2013)  More

Ministry issues paternity leave guidance

New maternity leave guidance was issued by Vietnam's labor ministry. Statutory leave increased to six months on 1 May. The guidance addresses multiple births, death of the mother or infant, and eligibility if the mother is on leave as of 1 May. (Mercer Select, 20 May 2013)  More

EC adopts revised credit rating agency rules

The European Council has adopted revised rules on credit rating agencies (CRA) that aim to reduce financial institutions' reliance on CRA ratings and make agencies more accountable for their actions. (Mercer Select, 17 May 2013)  More

Job security bill clears Parliament

The French job security bill has passed its final parliamentary hurdle. The bill is based on a January social partners' agreement and includes wide-ranging provisions on layoffs, job mobility, employee representation, and health care. (Mercer Select, 15 May 2013)  More

Pension reform talks begin

The French government has started pension reform talks with union and employer organizations. It confirmed that it will not reverse the previous government's decision to raise the retirement age to 62. (Mercer Select, 17 May 2013)  More

Job applicants' rights limited under ruling

A company is not obligated to give a job applicant information on the rejection under EU law, a German Federal Labour Court ruled. While the company's silence may imply discrimination, the applicant had not presented additional evidence as to bias. (Mercer Select, 20 May 2013)  More

High Court strikes some employment agreements

Registered employment agreements (REAs) that set pay rates and conditions for workers in five sectors are unconstitutional, Ireland's Supreme Court has ruled. The government subsequently said that workers' contract rights under existing REAs are unaffected. (Mercer Select, 20 May 2013)  More

New government to retain labor market reforms

The new Italian government will not propose any major change to labor market reforms introduced by the previous government, says the labor minister. However, it will consider enabling earlier retirement in exchange for smaller pensions. (Mercer Select, 17 May 2013)  More

Court protects outsourced worker rights

The employment terms and conditions of seconded employees, whose jobs are later outsourced to a new employer, are protected by EU and national laws on the transfer of undertakings, the Dutch Supreme Court has ruled. (Mercer Select, 20 May 2013)  More

Pension governance models released

In an effort to improve pension fund governance, the Netherlands has set out five models for board composition that range from roughly equal representation for management, workers, and pensioners, to external experts only. (Mercer Select, 20 May 2013)  More

Minimum wage for contractors proposed

Workers who are under a contract to provide services will be covered by national minimum wage and holiday rules, according to proposals published by the Dutch government. (Mercer Select, 20 May 2013)  More

Disabled quota outlined

A quota for the employment of disabled people will be imposed on the private sector from 2016 if it fails to achieve the jobs targets set out in the social partners' April agreement, the Dutch employment minister has warned. (Mercer Select, 20 May 2013)  More

Government works to comply with IORP directive

The Swedish government reportedly is conducting an inquiry into how the country's occupational pension funds can contend with the EU's prospective Solvency II regulations and IORP directive. The inquiry panel is due to submit a report by the end of 2013. (Mercer Select, 20 May 2013)  More

Pensions Bill 2013 moves forward

The UK Pensions Bill 2013 was published on 10 May 2013. The bill includes provisions on a single tier state pension, increasing the state pension age, stopping DB contracting-out, and automatic transfers. (Mercer Select, 20 May 2013)  More

Disability plans must be insured

The requirement that federally regulated Canadian employers insure, on a prospective basis, any long-term disability plans is effective July 1, 2014, according to an order from the governor general. This measure was enacted last year under Bill C-38. (Mercer Select, 20 May 2013)  More

Social contribution isn't tax deductible

Companies paying their social contribution on net profit (CSLL) may not deduct that amount from their taxable income, Brazil's Supreme Court has ruled. An appeal is possible and reportedly is under consideration. (Mercer Select, 20 May 2013)  More

Court resolution supports gay marriage

Brazil's notaries may not refuse marriage licenses to same-sex couples under a resolution issued by the National Council of Justice. Gay civil unions became legal in 2011 and a bill to authorize same-sex marriage is now before Congress. (Mercer Select, 20 May 2013)  More

Retirement contributions increase planned

Among the policies heralded in the Chilean president's labor day address was a proposal to divert 1% of the 3% worker contribution to the unemployment fund into the statutory, privately managed AFP retirement account, raising that contribution level to 11%. (Mercer Select, 20 May 2013)  More

Minimum wage bill rejected

The Chilean president's minimum wage bill was rejected repeatedly by legislators because the 6.3% increase was considered too small. The finance minister has promised to deliver draft legislation defining the minimum wage within 120 days. (Mercer Select, 20 May 2013)  More