The Global Legislative Update for March 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 51-page print-friendly PDF to read the full issue. Here are some highlights of the latest coverage:

Global

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

Americas

• Argentina: Mandatory life insurance to increase for employees and rural sector
  
• Canada: Consultation on federal pension tax changes opened
  
• Nicaragua: Minimum wage rate increased
• United States: Mandatory arbitration agreements in sexual assault/harassment claims prohibited

AsiaPac

• Australia: 2021 budget super changes enacted
• New Zealand: Date for new public holiday announced 
• Taiwan: Paid paternity leave, prenatal checks and flex working rights expanded

EMEA

• Europe: ESG disclosures published by European Banking Authority
• European Union: Directive addressing human rights and environmental impacts proposed 
• Austria: Changes to early retirement pensions take effect 
• Czech Republic: Paternity leave doubled 
• Denmark: LGBTI equality protections expanded 
• Finland: Paid paternity leave, maternity allowance expanded 
• France: New right to medical leave for parents introduced 
• Germany: Minimum wage rate increased 
• Italy: Temporary early retirement scheme for 2022 introduced 
• Kuwait: Insurance companies, brokers required to register
• Lithuania: Minimum wage rate increased 
• Poland: Employers offered tax deductions for employing R&D colleagues
• Portugal: Retirement pension age to decrease
• Russia: Minimum wage rate increased 
• Slovakia: Minimum wage rate increased
• Spain: Minimum wage rates revised
• Switzerland: New reporting duties on ESG, conflict minerals and child labor take effect
• United Kingdom: Consultation on assumptions for statutory DC pension statements opens