The Global Legislative Update for October 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 46-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)
• Remote working roundup: Employer resources on rights/trends (updated)
  

Americas

• Argentina: Employers’ contribution to occupational disease fund increased
• Canada: Regulator issues guidance for pension plan administrators
• Colombia: Payroll subsidies introduced
• Dominican Republic: Minimum wage to increase
• Panama: Fathers entitled to leave, job protection
• Puerto Rico: Minimum wage increases to phase in
• United States: Form 5500 proposal reflects SECURE Act changes and more

AsiaPac

• Australia: Sexual harassment protections and leave rights strengthened
• Japan: Defined contribution reforms enacted
  
• Singapore: Threshold for notifying layoffs lowered
  
• South Korea: National health insurance rate to increase

EMEA

• European Union: Proposal to ban products made with forced labor announced
• Egypt: Private-sector minimum wage established
  
• France: Workplace telemedicine allowed
  
• Ireland: Input requested on review of equality acts
• Turkey: Integrated pension plan guidance issued
  
• United Arab Emirates: Basic health plan’s permitted treatments announced
  
• United Kingdom: National insurance contributions to increase