February Global Legislative Update 

13 February 2019

The Global Legislative Update for February 2019 provides insights from Mercer consultants around the globe about key legal developments affecting employers' benefit programs in various countries. The update describes the developments and their implications for employers, lists deadlines, and offers action steps. Highlights this month include the following:

Brazil: Minimum wage increases
Canada: Federally regulated employers face pay equity duty, employment protections
Colombia: Pension contributions tax exemption
US: Labor relations board reinstates traditional independent contractor standard

Australia: Natural therapies lose private health insurance coverage
Bahrain: Mandatory health insurance includes expat employees
Japan: Work-style reforms adopted
Philippines: Law addresses rights of telecommuting workers
South Korea: New pension investment methods for “principal secured’ products proposed
Taiwan: Health exams for night-shift workers mandated
Vietnam: Employers of foreign employees must pay social security contributions

European Union: New work-life balance, flex working measures progress
Belgium: Social security contributions payable on supplementary pensions
Denmark: Rules for stock options on job termination amended
France: Decree details gender pay methodology
Greece: Monthly minimum wage increases
Hungary: Maximum overtime hours increased
Italy: Employment, pension changes made
Netherlands: Pension reform plans published
Portugal: Funds allowed to pay pensions directly
Russia: Monthly minimum wage increases
Turkey: Deadline to autoenroll employees in pension scheme extended
UK: Safeguarding social security rights in Brexit “no deal” proposed