The Global Legislative Update for September 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 82-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: Jobs scheme reduces employer social security contributions
• Canada: Extensive review of Employment Equity Act launched
• Chile: Minimum wage retroactively increases
• Colombia: Remote working rights expanded
• Honduras: Minimum wage increased
• Peru: Employers required to provide lactation areas
• United States: Rules to implement minimum wage increase for federal contractors proposed

AsiaPac

• Australia: Revised remuneration standard finalized
• China: Gradual increase in minimum contribution period for basic pension launched
• Hong Kong: Five more statutory holidays to be phased in
• India: Guidance addresses taxation of certain employee provident fund contributions
• Japan: Telework guidelines revised
• Malaysia: Social security contributions could be expanded to include stay-at-home women
• Singapore: Family leave eligibility expanded
• South Korea: Medical insurance coverage and costs revised
• Taiwan: Parental leave rights, leave for pregnancy check-ups expanded

EMEA

•  European Union: Financial regulator updates remuneration guidelines
• Belgium: Bereavement leave rights for employees expanded
• France: Employee bonus allowed, social security contribution temporarily reduced
• Greece: Labor law offers flex work, family leave and remote working
• Ireland: Employers face annual reporting on gender pay gap
• Italy: Early retirement scheme threshold reduced
• Romania: Private pension enrollment required
• Spain: Protections for remote workers expanded, labor penalties increased
• United Arab Emirates: Basic health insurance plan expanded, new treatments added
• United Kingdom: Consultation on international personal data transfer tools launched