January 2019 Global Legislative Update 

22 January 2019
The Global Legislative Update for January 2019 provides insights from Mercer consultants around the globe about key legal developments affecting employers' benefit programs in various countries. The update describes the developments and their implications for employers, lists deadlines, and offers action steps. Highlights this month include the following:

Global

IAS 19 amendments on interim remeasurements and asset ceiling finalized

Americas

Brazil: CNPJ registration duty on pension entities imposed
Canada: Labor code targets workplace harassment, violence
Colombia: Standards set for workplace breastfeeding rooms
Mexico: Daily minimum wage increased
US: ACA individual statement deadline extended

AsiaPac

Australia: modern slavery law requires new reporting from companies
Cambodia: Wage payment frequency, severance payments changed
China: enterprise annuity rules revised
Hong Kong: Anti-discrimination law reforms proposed
India: Workplace crèche guidelines issued
Philippines: Health premium tax change rescinded
Singapore: Corporate governance code revised
South Korea: Pension reform options proposed
Taiwan: Minimum monthly and hourly wage increased
Thailand: Labor law changes include increased severance, maternity leave

EMEA

EU: Occupational pension reporting framework revised
Austria: State pensions increase
Belgium: More flexible parental leave options enacted
France: Gender pay equity law, further implementation details
Germany: Corporate governance code, executive pay revisions proposed
Ireland: Employers must use “real time” payroll reporting from 2019
Luxembourg: Occupational pension plan law aligning with EU directive adopted
Netherlands: Small employers get help on payments for sick leave
Poland: President signs pension autoenrollment act
South Africa: National minimum wage introduced, set at R20;
Sweden: PAYE reporting for employees begins for all employees in January
Turkey: Revised state contributions, re-enrolment into pension autoenrollment
UK: Executive pay ratio disclosure rules take effect
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