Thursday 22 October
17 briefs · US Eastern time
- Europe·Policy & Law
Dutch cabinet proposes scrapping €500 tax-free staff discount from 2027
The Dutch cabinet proposes abolishing, from January 1, 2027, the tax-free staff discount (currently up to 20%, capped at €500/year) on employer products and services, to raise €123 million annually for energy cost relief. The government estimates only about 60% of employers will still be able to offer it tax-free via the WKR free space, mainly affecting retail and manufacturing workers' net pay and benefits. The bill still needs parliamentary approval and includes no transition arrangement.
- China·Policy & Law
Henan extends occupational injury protection to 878,000 gig workers
Some 878,000 new-employment-form workers in China's Henan province, including gig and platform workers, have been covered by occupational injury protection schemes, providing a safety net for their labor rights. Specific implementation dates were not detailed in the report.
- United States·Policy & Law
Florida college settles ex-employee's lawsuit over Charlie Kirk posts
Trustees at a Florida college have agreed to settle a lawsuit brought by a former employee who alleged she was unlawfully fired for social media posts about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, according to a federal court filing.
- United States·News
Health insurer PacificSource to lay off 134 workers
According to Modern Healthcare's layoffs and closures tracker, health insurer PacificSource plans to lay off 134 workers.
- Canada & Latin America·Research
Argentina loses 12,700 formal private jobs in July, 14th straight month of decline
Argentina's official SIPA data shows formal private-sector employment fell by 12,716 jobs in July, marking 14 consecutive months of decline. Year-to-date losses total 134,034 jobs, a 2.2% contraction. Construction (-0.6%) and financial intermediation (-0.4%) led losses, with manufacturing, retail, transport and hospitality also affected, seven months after the government's labor reform.
- Canada & Latin America·Research
Canada's work permit holder total up 8.2% despite 57% drop in new arrivals
New IRCC data shows Canada's total work permit holder population has risen 8.2% since 2024, even as new worker arrivals dropped 57%. The report attributes the gap to continued high levels of temporary residents already in the country.
- United States·Research
US initial jobless claims fall to 194,000, a three-month low
US initial jobless claims fell to 194,000 last week, marking a three-month low and approaching the lowest level in 60 years, according to the report.
- United States·Research
US weekly jobless claims fall to 194,000, near 57-year low
US initial jobless claims fell by 6,000 to a seasonally adjusted 194,000 in the week ended October 17, below economists' forecast of 200,000, the Labor Department reported. The reading is close to the 189,000 level seen in mid-July, the lowest since 1969, indicating continued labor market resilience and low layoffs.
- United States·Research
US initial jobless claims fall by 6,000, unemployment rate holds steady
US initial jobless claims fell by 6,000 last week, while the unemployment rate held steady, according to Labor Department data cited in the report.
- United States·Policy & Law
New York DOL Issues Guidance on 'Trapped at Work Act'
New York's Department of Labor issued guidance on the 「Trapped at Work Act」, addressing existing agreements, voluntary benefits and reimbursement obligations. The law takes effect December 19, 2026.
- Europe·Research
Survey finds a third of UK over-55s want to work beyond retirement age
A survey by European HR firm SD Worx found 32% of UK workers aged 55 and over want to keep working past normal retirement age, while 54% of UK HR decision-makers report worker shortages at their organisations. Among over-50s who prefer early retirement, 66% cited wanting more family time and 46% cited health or other pursuits.
- Europe·Policy & Law
Study finds 78% of UK employers lack manager-specific sexual harassment training
A survey of 540 UK HR, L&D and compliance professionals by training provider VinciWorks found 78% of employers lack manager-specific sexual harassment training, with provision falling from 30% in July to 22% in October. Under the Employment Rights Act 2025, effective October 30, employers must take 'all reasonable steps' to prevent harassment, including by third parties.
- Europe·Policy & Law
UK to strengthen tribunal protections against unfair dismissal for pregnant women from 2027
The UK government confirmed that from 2027, employment tribunals will take a stricter approach to unfair dismissal cases involving pregnant women and new parents, a key pillar of the Employment Rights Act and the Make Work Pay agenda. The reform removes the two-year qualifying period, making protection against pregnancy and maternity discrimination a day-one right for all employees.
- Europe·Policy & Law
French lawmakers pass amendment allowing early retirement at 62 for workers with 42 years' contributions
On October 22, France's National Assembly passed a Green Party-backed amendment to the 2027 social security budget that would let workers with 42 years (168 quarters) of pension contributions retire at 62, with employers paying wages equal to a full pension until legal retirement age in exchange for reduced social contributions. The measure is far from taking effect, as passage of the overall budget is considered highly unlikely in a divided parliament.
- Europe·Research
Italy's Veneto region sees hiring demand rise 4.6% year on year in October
Data from Italy's Excelsior information system (Unioncamere and Ministry of Labour) show Veneto companies planned 46,520 hires in October 2026, up more than 2,000 year on year and outpacing the national trend. Over 60% of new contracts are at firms with fewer than 50 employees; Verona led growth while Rovigo saw nearly a 10% decline, with skilled labor shortages persisting.
- Europe·News
VW's Skoda Auto unions reject salary freeze as part of group savings plan
Reuters reported that unions at Volkswagen's Skoda Auto have rejected a proposed salary freeze that was part of the broader VW group's cost-saving measures.
- Asia-Pacific·Policy & Law
Thailand updates 2026 work visa rules with new BOI salary thresholds
Thailand's work visa system for foreign professionals includes the Non-Immigrant B visa (THB 2,000 fee), SMART Visa (up to 4 years), and BOI Work Permit. From January 2026, BOI sets a minimum monthly salary of THB 50,000 for degree-holding engineers/IT staff. The e-Work Permit became mandatory from October 2025, and permanent residency is available after 3 years with a 100-person quota per nationality.