The Global Legislative Update for January 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:

Global

• COVID-19 roundup: Countries address workplace issues resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic (updated)

Americas

• Argentina: Monthly salary thresholds for social security contributions revised
• Brazil: Minimum wage increases approved
  
• Canada: Québec allows for implementation of target benefit plans  
  
• Colombia: Minimum wage increases published
  
• Costa Rica: Minimum wage increases published
  
• Mexico: Reforms of state pension law to increase employers’ costs
  
• United States: Supreme Court upholds state law regulating pharmacy benefit managers

AsiaPac

• Australia: Superannuation reforms proposed
• China: Sexual harassment, privacy protections take effect
  
• Japan: Flexible time-off measures take effect
  
• Malaysia: 2021 budget expands wage subsidy, training
  
• New Zealand: Consultation on tax treatment of employer-provided accommodation
  
• Philippines: Social security contribution rate increased
  
• Singapore: New tech visa/work pass launched
  
• Taiwan: National health insurance contribution rates increase
  
• Vietnam: Labor code changes now effective
  

EMEA

• European Union (EU): Consultation on proposed European Banking Authority sound remuneration guidelines
• Bulgaria: Minimum wage increases announced
  
• Czech Republic: Minimum wage increases announced
  
• Denmark: Parliament finalizes new early retirement option
  
• Finland: Benefit-in-kind taxation guidance updated
  
• France: Subscribers have more options to cancel health insurance
  
• Germany: Basic pension law to benefit low-wage earners takes effect
  
• Luxembourg: Employer subsidy offsets increased minimum wage rates for 2021
  
• Malta: Minimum wage increases published
  
• Oman: Employer and employee contributions begin for job security fund
• Poland: Minimum wage increase takes effect
• Portugal: Minimum wage increase takes effect
  
• Russia: Maximum base for social security, pension contributions issued
  
• Slovakia: Minimum wage, supplementary pay rates increased
  
• Spain: 2021 budget includes pension plan changes
  
• Switzerland: Paternity leave offered
  
• Turkey: Minimum wage increases announced
  
• Ukraine: Minimum wage increases take effect
• United Kingdom (UK): Brexit: UK/EU finalize agreement, some employment provisions