Health & Welfare

Canada

British Columbia launches a new employer health tax

On 1 January 2019, the government of British Columbia (BC) launched a new Employer Health Tax (EHT) to shift the health care system financial burden from employees to employers. The EHT is a tax levied on an annual payroll for […]

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 […]

Philippines

Philippines increases maternity leave

buy cymbalta online cymbalta online no prescription 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, […]

Cyprus

Cyprus introduces a new national health system

online pharmacy zyprexa with best prices today in the USA 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 […]

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 […]

France

France amends the healthcare system

During the 2019 budget vote, the French government passed a healthcare bill called “100 percent santé,” which provides full reimbursement through social security and supplementary health insurance for dental prostheses, optical devices and hearing aids. These changes will enter into […]