Global Legislative Update, April 2021 

The Global Legislative Update for April 2021 provides insights from Mercer consultants around the globe about key legal developments affecting employers’ benefit and human resource programs in various countries. Download the 54-page print-friendly PDF to read the full issue. Here are some highlights of the latest coverage:

Americas

• Argentina: Employee contribution to occupational disease fund increased
• Canada: Consultation published on right to disconnect and gig work
• Colombia: Electronic payroll requirement introduced
• Dominican Republic: Teleworking measures defined in resolution
• United States: COBRA help, dependent care items in enacted COVID-19 relief legislation

AsiaPac

• Australia: Act on financial advice and fees for Super funds approved
• China: Mandatory retirement age increase planned
• Hong Kong: Anti-harassment law for breastfeeding enacted
• India: Deductions, medical expenses clarified by IRDAI
• Japan: Employers urged to employ workers until age 70
• Malaysia: Apprenticeship program to boost employability is enhanced
• New Zealand: Bereavement leave expanded to include miscarriages, stillbirths
• Taiwan: Sanctions expanded for some labor law violations
• Vietnam: Phase-in of increased retirement ages begins

EMEA

• European Union: Employers face pay transparency disclosure mandates
• France: Equality disclosure requirements revised
• Ireland: Parental leave and benefits expanded
• Qatar: Nondiscriminatory minimum wage takes effect
• Saudi Arabia: Labor reforms ease restrictions on expatriate workers
• Spain: Gender pay transparency measures now effective
• Turkey: Requirements for remote working clarified
• Ukraine: Remote working, home-based and flexible work law enacted
• United Kingdom: Supreme Court rules on retail equal pay case