The Global Legislative Update for April 2022 provides insights from Mercer consultants around the globe about key legal developments affecting employers’ benefit and human resource programs in various countries. Download the 62-page print-friendly PDF to read the full issue. Here are some highlights of the latest coverage:

Global

• COVID-19 pandemic: Countries address workplace issues resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic (updated)
• Minimum wage rates: Global employer resources on minimum wage increases
• Pension good practices: International pension good practices released
• Remote working: Countries address remote-working issues (updated)

Americas

• Canada: Federal minimum wage increased
• Chile: New old-age pension introduced for most long-term residents
• Jamaica: Minimum wage rate increased
• United States: Broad 'SECURE 2.0' retirement bill gets overwhelming House approval

AsiaPac

• Australia: Key superannuation rates and thresholds issued for 2022/23
• China: Jiang Su province issues regulations on increasing retirement age
• Hong Kong: Abolishment of MPF offsetting arrangement considered
• India: Top-listed companies face enhanced sustainability reporting
• Japan: Childcare leave entitlement expanded
• Malaysia: Enhanced employment protections pass Senate
• New Zealand: Insurance redundancy compensation scheme proposed
• Singapore: Foreign worker permits, CPF contributions revised

EMEA

• European Union: Board gender-equality proposals advance
• Denmark: Parental leave increased, leave to care for sick family members offered
• France: Metallurgy sector agrees on national collective bargaining
• Hungary: Employers’ social contribution rate decreased
• Ireland: Automatic-enrollment retirement system progresses
• Kazakhstan: Minimum wage, contribution rates for 2022 announced
• Kenya: Medical coverage expanded, employer contributions required
• Mauritius: Minimum wage rate increased
• Moldova: Minimum wage rate increased
• Netherlands: Parental leave payment increases
• Norway: Occupational pension coverage expanded
• Qatar: Employers must provide healthcare coverage to expatriate employees
• Switzerland: Changes to first and second pillars planned
• Ukraine/EU: Temporary right to work and other protections offered to Ukrainian refugees
• United Kingdom: Government will not require ethnicity pay-gap reporting