Global Legislative Update January 2024 

January 9, 2024

The Global Legislative Update for January 2024 provides insights from Mercer consultants around the globe about key legal developments affecting employers’ benefit and human resource programs in various countries. Download the 117-page print-friendly PDF to read the full country-by-country coverage.

Here are some highlights from the latest issue:

• Minimum wage rates: Global employer resources (updated)
• One-page guide: Mercer online resources (client ready)
• Remote working: Global employer resources (updated)
• Reproductive rights: Global employer resources post Dobbs ruling (updated)

• Argentina: Cost of prepaid medicine increased
• Brazil: President proposes withdrawal of social security exemption
• Canada: Pension plan contribution rates unchanged, 2024 maximums increased
• Chile: Weekly working time reduced
• Costa Rica: Pension reforms now effective
• Mexico: Minimum wage increased
• United States: Summary of 2024 benefit-related cost-of-living adjustments

• Australia: Superannuation fund performance test results and insights provided
• China: Social medical insurance improved in Beijing
• Indonesia: Minimum wage increased
• Singapore: Infant care and paternity leave increased
• South Korea: Minimum wage increased
• Taiwan: Minimum wage increased
• Thailand: Minimum wage increased

• Belarus: Minimum wage increased
• Belgium: Certain employers must appoint ‘person of trust’ to address workplace psychosocial issues
• Czech Republic: Changes to tax exemption of employee noncash benefits now effective
• Denmark: Changes to deductions from government pensions
• Finland: Personal identity codes reformed
• France: Protections expanded for women who experience a miscarriage
• Germany: Eligibility for parental allowance reduced
• Greece: Reforms of group pension plans finalized
• Hungary: Medical suitability assessments for employees no longer required
• Ireland: Consultation on taxation of share-based remuneration issued
• Luxembourg: Meal voucher scheme adjusted
• Malta: Minimum wage increased
• Moldova: Minimum wage increased
• Monaco: Social security contribution rates set for 2024
• Netherlands: 30% tax-free ruling for foreign employees reduced from 2024
• Oman: Social protection for nationals and foreign employees expanded
• Poland: Meal allowance, social security exemption increased
• Portugal: Minimum wage increased
• Romania: Pension reforms now effective
• Russia: 2024 cap for combined social, pension contribution effective
• Saudi Arabia: Contracting with companies with regional headquarters outside of the kingdom ceases
• Serbia: Minimum wage increased
• Spain: Changes to public pension system enacted
• Sweden: Employer contribution deductions adjusted
• Switzerland: First-pillar pension scheme reforms approved
• Trinidad and Tobago: Minimum wage increased
• Ukraine: Minimum wage increased
• United Arab Emirates: Revised pension scheme for first-time employees introduced
• United Kingdom: Changes to annual leave entitlement, pay and employee consultation rights to move forward in 2024
• Uzbekistan: Minimum wage increased