The Legislative Assembly of Costa Rica recently approved a reform to the labor code creating paid paternity leave for a total of eight days and special paid leaves including an adoption leave, a care leave and breastfeeding breaks.
The bill is expected to be enacted into law once signed by the Costa Rican president and published in the official gazette
The Norwegian government passed new legislation introducing the right for all employees (including low-paid workers and part-time employees) to participate in their employer’s existing private occupational pension scheme.
The legislation entered into effect on 1 January 2022, with an adjustment period to allow for gradual implementation by 30 June 2022.
The Hong Kong government recently introduced a new bill abolishing the use of employers’ mandatory contributions under the Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) to offset severance payments and long service payments payable to employees upon termination of employment.
The Employment and Retirement Schemes Legislation (Offsetting Arrangement) (Amendment) Bill 2022 has not passed into law yet and is not expected to enter into effect before 2025. The offsetting arrangements will be abolished from a date (“transition date”) to be appointed after the bill is passed into law (no retroactive effect will apply).
The Irish government passed legislation mandating that employers with a minimum of 50 employees report and publish information on their gender pay differentials.