New Zealand adds an additional public holiday for 2022
The New Zealand government recently announced an additional employer-paid one-off public holiday on Monday, 26 September 2022, to mark the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II of England.
Australia adds an additional public holiday for 2022
The Australian government recently announced an additional employer-paid public holiday on Thursday, 22 September 2022, for the mourning of the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II of England.
United Kingdom adds an additional public holiday for 2022
The UK government recently announced an additional employer-paid public holiday on Monday, 19 September 2022, for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s state funeral.
Qatar introduces a social security reform
The Qatari government recently passed social insurance law No. (1) of 2022, introducing several changes including an expansion of the private sector social security system and an increase in social security contribution rates.
The new law will be effective in October, six months after its publication on 19 April 2022. Implementing rules and regulations are pending and the exact publication date is not known yet.
Malta expands family leave entitlements
The government of Malta recently passed new legislation transposing the European Union (EU) Directive 2019/1158 of 20 June 2019 (the “Directive”) on work-life balance for parents and carers. The new legislation amends parental leave requirements and introduces paid paternity leave, carer’s leave and flexible working arrangements.
Canadian provinces enact paid leave for COVID-19 reasons including vaccination [Updated]
In an effort to encourage as many people as possible to be vaccinated, the Canadian provinces of Alberta, British Colombia, Saskatchewan, Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island have passed legislation to provide employees with paid leave to get vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus during working hours.
Nicaragua introduces a new public holiday
On 20 May 2022, the Nicaraguan government passed new legislation (Law No. 1118) making Mother’s Day a mandatory paid national public holiday. The new national public holiday will be celebrated on 30 May every year starting from 2022.
India to implement major employment law reforms [Updated]
In September 2020, the Indian Parliament passed three federal employment law codes on social security, industrial relations, and occupational safety, health and working conditions.
Along with the Code of Wages passed in 2019, which has not yet been implemented, the new codes consolidate and simplify existing laws and introduce changes to multiple federal labor laws, including those impacting employers’ retirement benefits costs and liabilities toward gratuity.
While the Indian government hasn’t announced an implementation date yet, the four codes are likely to be made effective by April 2021.
Australia increases superannuation contribution rate and concessional contribution caps [Updated]
On 1 July 2021, the Australian government increased the superannuation guarantee contribution rate by 0.5% to 10% on earnings up to the new maximum contribution base of AUD 58,920 per quarter. The concessional contribution cap has also increased to AUD 27,500. The increases will help stimulate Australia’s post-pandemic economy and support a better retirement for eligible workers.
Costa Rica to introduce paternity leave and other special leaves
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