The Global Legislative Update for April 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:

Americas

Canada: Budget Includes Benefit, Employment Initiatives
Chile: Employee Disability Quota Law Takes Effect for Smaller Employers
Nicaragua: Social Security Arrangements Revised
United States: Trump Administration Urges Court to Strike Down Affordable Care Act

AsiaPac

Australia: Superannuation Protections Move Forward
China: Gender Equality Law Strengthened
Hong Kong: Health Insurance Scheme Launched
India: Provident Fund Rate Increase Proposed
Japan: Work-Style Reforms Adopted
New Zealand: Domestic Violence Leave, Variable Work Arrangements Enacted
Singapore: Funding for Flex-Work Arrangements Increased

EMEA

European Union: Remuneration Rules for Financial Sector – “CRDV” – Await Final Approval
Austria: Good Friday No Longer a Designated Public Holiday
Belgium: Decree Sets Out Criteria for “Positive Action” Discrimination
Czech Republic: Sick Pay, Social Security Contributions Changed
Denmark: Employers Face Diversity Reporting Requirements
Poland: Pension Autoenrollment Contribution Change Proposed
Saudi Arabia: National Medical Records Databank Proposed
Slovak Republic: Labor Code Revised
Spain: Collective Bargaining Agreements Can Feature Mandatory Retirement Clauses
Sweden: Unpaid Sick Day Abolished
United Kingdom: Collective Defined Contribution Schemes Move Forward