Global Legislative Update September 2026 

September 3, 2026

The Global Legislative Update for September 2026 provides insights from Mercer consultants around the globe about key legal developments affecting employers’ benefit and human resource programs in various countries. Here are some highlights from the latest issue.

• Artificial intelligence roundup: Global employer resources (updated)
•  Employees’ right to disconnect roundup: Global employer resources (updated)
•  Minimum wage roundup: Global employer resources (updated)
•  Remote working roundup: Global employer resources (updated)
•  Reproductive rights roundup: Global employer resources (updated)

• Argentina: Severance liability fund to be established
• Canada: Input on expansion of pay equity legislation in New Brunswick requested
• United States: Proposed rule would ease electronic delivery by group health plans

• Australia: Government-funded parental leave increased
• China: Transfer of enterprise annuity personal accounts to ease
• Indonesia: Health insurance reforms introduced
• Japan: Out-of-pocket medical expenses ceiling increased
• Macao: Annual leave to increase
• Malaysia: Expanded social security coverage (LINDUNG 24/7 Scheme) introduced
• New Zealand: Changes to accrual of annual and sick leave enacted
• Singapore: Use of digital medical certificates expanded
• South Korea: National Pension Contribution base thresholds adjusted for 2026-2027
• Vietnam: New public health measures for business travelers introduced

• European Union: Enforcement date for certain high-risk artificial intelligence systems extended
• Belgium: Flexi-job scheme expanded
• Cyprus: Employers face new obligations for accommodating breastfeeding
• France: Physicians must specify employees’ sick leave duration
• Greece: Special maternity leave and benefits expanded
• Netherlands: Minimum wage increased
• Poland: Employers must proactively prevent ‘workplace mobbing’
• Saudi Arabia: Medical insurance policies required to waive prior approval limits
• Serbia: Minimum wage to increase
• South Africa: Expanded remuneration and pay gap disclosures required
• Spain: Flexible retirement options improve
• United Arab Emirates: Employers responsible for entire pension contributions for low-earning employees
• United Kingdom: Expanded rights for carers and parents of seriously ill children proposed

Download the print-friendly PDF to read the full GRIST.