Year: 2019

UAE

UAE introduces a new employment law

On 30 May 2019, the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) enacted a new employment law which introduces statutory paternity leave and amends several provisions of the existing 2005 employment law, including sick leave pay and paid time off. The 2019 […]

Hong Kong

Hong Kong introduces individual voluntary health insurance scheme

On 1 April 2019, the government of Hong Kong introduced a new individual Voluntary Health Insurance Scheme (VHIS). This legislation aims to offer consumers additional choices through private healthcare services, alleviate the burden on the public healthcare system and encourage […]

Mexico

Mexico addresses work-related psychological risks

The government of Mexico adopted a new regulation to identify, prevent and address psychological risk factors in the workplace. Regulation NOM-035-STPS-2018 was published in the Federal Official Gazette on 23 October 2018, and will enter into force on 23 October […]

Romania

Romania introduces additional annual leave for in vitro fertilization

The government of Romania has adopted Emergency Ordinance 26/2019 (the “Ordinance”), which provides female employees undergoing in vitro fertilization procedures with an additional three paid days off in their annual leave allowance. The Ordinance was published in the Official Gazette […]

Philippines

Philippines increases maternity leave

The government of the Philippines passed a law expanding the maternity leave period from 60 days to 105 days, effective 8 March 2019. The extended period is fully paid for all female workers, regardless of their civil status. Key details […]

Cyprus

Cyprus introduces a new national health system

The government of Cyprus is finally implementing a national health system, known as GESY or General Health Scheme (GHS), after almost two decades of negotiations. In late 2017, the Cypriot government passed the general health system law establishing central public […]

Nepal

Nepal introduces mandatory social security contribution

In November 2018, the government of Nepal finally launched a new mandatory, contribution-based social security plan mandating private sector employers contribute to the Social Security Fund (SSF). Employers are required to register their employees with the SSF before 21 May […]

Spain

Spain equalizes maternity and paternity leaves

On 1 March 2019, the government of Spain issued a Royal Decree-Law 6/2019 equalizing maternity and paternity leave benefits by progressively expanding the duration of paternity leave from five weeks to a total of 16 weeks with pay. This new […]

Kuwait

Kuwait to increase annual leave entitlement

The Health and Social Affairs Committee of the Kuwait National Assembly approved a draft law increasing the annual leave allotment from 30 days to 35 days of paid leave per year. This change applies to private sector employees, both Kuwaitis […]