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

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 […]

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 […]

Oman

Oman introduces compulsory health insurance policy

Update: This legislation will start as early as mid-2020. On 24 March 2019, Oman’s Capital Market Authority (CMA) issued legislation introducing compulsory health insurance for private sector employees and visitors. Resolution No 34/2019 – For the Issue of Unified Healthcare […]

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 […]