The Global Legislative Update for May 2020 provides insights from Mercer consultants around the globe about key legal developments affecting employers’ benefit and human resource programs in various countries. Download the 47-page print-friendly PDF to read the full issue. Here are some highlights of the latest coverage:

Global

• Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic: Countries address workplace issues resulting from the pandemic

Americas

• Argentina: COVID-19 added to occupational diseases for workers performing ‘essential’ work
• Brazil: Labor measures introduced to address effects of COVID-19
  
• Canada: Federal COVID-19 Economic Response Plan includes employment measures
  
• Mexico: COVID-19 presents national emergency, implications for employers
  
• United States: COVID-19 legislation boosts telehealth, makes other health, paid leave changes
  

AsiaPac

• Australia: COVID-19 Jobkeeper Scheme is implemented
• Hong Kong: Employment support scheme is announced
  
• Japan: Economic stimulus measures are introduced to address effects of COVID-19
  
• Malaysia: Wage subsidy scheme is introduced to address effects of COVID-19
  
• Singapore: Workplace shutdown is extended, job subsidy program is launched to address effects of COVID-19
  
• South Korea: Retirement act reforms take effect
  

EMEA

• European Union: COVID-19 workplace health and safety guidelines issued
• Denmark: COVID-19 measures include reimbursement for sickness benefit, wage compensation scheme
  
• France: Employment provisions temporarily eased to address COVID-19 gradual return to work planned
  
• Germany: Short-time work scheme and allowance addresses effects of COVID-19
  
• Ireland: Temporary wage subsidy scheme to provide relief from effects of COVID-19
  
• Netherlands: Government provides wage compensation scheme for companies impacted by COVID-19
  
• Poland: Some PPK deadlines were postponed
  
• South Africa: Government implements revised COVID-19 alert system
  
• Spain: COVID-19 triggers temporary employment changes, steps to lift lockdown
  
• Sweden: COVID-19 information related to health coverage, sick pay
  
• United Arab Emirates: Guidance on lay-offs, remote working arrangements to address effects of COVID-19
  
• United Kingdom: COVID-19 job retention scheme is launched