Policy & Law
Employment law, enforcement and court rulings, immigration, payroll tax and social insurance changes around the world.
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191 in the last two weeksToday · Monday 26 October
- Europe·Policy & Law
Dutch government plans to reform care leave to better support informal caregivers
The Dutch government plans to change care leave rules for informal caregivers, which could affect wage continuation and leave registration. Details of the plan and its payroll implications remain to be clarified.
- Europe·Policy & Law
MEPs visit Amazon warehouses in Germany and Poland over worker surveillance, algorithmic management
A delegation of Members of the European Parliament is visiting Amazon logistics centres in Germany and Poland on October 26-27 to investigate workplace monitoring, productivity targets and trade union rights. The fact-finding mission comes as the European Commission prepares its Quality Jobs Act, expected to address algorithmic management and working conditions.
- China·Policy & Law
BOSS Zhipin cracks down on rental and resale of recruiter accounts for 'shell recruiting'
Chinese recruitment platform BOSS Zhipin said it will crack down on the renting and selling of recruiter accounts and so-called 'shell recruiting' practices. The report does not specify concrete enforcement measures, timing, or scale involved.
- Asia-Pacific·Policy & Law
India-NZ FTA takes effect, opening 5,000 temporary work visa slots for Indians
The India-New Zealand free trade agreement took effect on October 20, 2026, introducing a new temporary work pathway for eligible Indian professionals with a quota of up to 5,000 visas at any time and stays of up to three years, covering IT, engineering, construction, education, healthcare, yoga, culinary arts and Ayush. The deal also allows contractual service providers to stay up to 12 months, business visitors up to 90 days, and opens 118 services sub-sectors to Indian providers.
- Canada & Latin America·Policy & Law
Brazil's Lula plans labor law reforms after re-election, including ending 6x1 schedule
Following his re-election on Oct. 25, Brazilian President Lula plans to push labor law (CLT) reforms, including ending the 6x1 work schedule, combating fraudulent outsourcing and disguised employment, and strengthening unions. The proposals are not finalized and will be sent to Congress for debate.
- Europe·Policy & Law
Germany clarifies when employers can reject part-time requests used to dodge shifts
German labor law analysis explains that employees can request minimal part-time reductions paired with a preferred schedule to avoid weekend shifts, which employers must generally approve absent operational reasons. It outlines when employers may reject such requests as abuse of rights and why the rejection deadline matters.
- Middle East & Africa·Policy & Law
UAE issues guidance on 12 work permit categories, fines for misuse up to Dh1 million
The UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation published guidance in October 2026 covering 12 work permit categories. Employers who use a permit outside its approved purpose face fines ranging from Dh100,000 to Dh1 million. The categories include standard recruitment, transfers, family-sponsored residents, temporary and part-time permits, affecting foreign workers including Kenyans.
- United States·Policy & Law
US November visa bulletin: EB-3 advances 21 days for India, EB-2 unchanged
The US Department of State's November 2026 Visa Bulletin advanced India's EB-3 Final Action Date by three weeks to January 22, 2014, while EB-1 (February 1, 2023) and EB-2 (November 1, 2013) dates for India remain unchanged. USCIS will accept employment-based adjustment of status applications in November using the Dates for Filing chart.
- United States·Policy & Law
H-1B crackdown sparks debate as Indian tech firms see sharp visa drop
US Vice President JD Vance publicly backed eliminating the H-1B visa program, calling it broken. Infosys and TCS saw their FY2027 H-1B registrations drop over 90% versus FY2026, while PERM permanent labor certification processing has been suspended for eight major tech employers, an opinion piece reports.
- Asia-Pacific·Policy & Law
Singapore tripartite workgroup issues six recommendations to extend senior employment
Singapore's Tripartite Workgroup on Senior Employment (TWG-SE) released a report with six recommendations aimed at helping more seniors who wish to remain in meaningful and sustainable employment for longer, while fostering age-friendly workplaces.
- Europe·Policy & Law
Germany to make workplace inspections fully digital starting 2027
According to the report, workplace inspections in Germany will become exclusively digital starting in 2027. No further details on scope or legal basis are provided in the excerpt.
- Europe·Policy & Law
France temporarily raises fuel allowance social exemption cap to €1,000 through end of 2026
Two French decrees dated October 20 temporarily raise the social security exemption cap for commuting fuel and mobility allowances to €1,000, applicable to payments made through December 31, 2026. Published in the Journal Officiel on October 21 and clarified by Service Public on October 24, the cap is a tax exemption limit, not a mandatory payment; employers still decide whether to pay it.
- Asia-Pacific·Policy & Law
Australia commits extra A$6.9m to mental health support for high-risk workers
Australia's federal government will spend an additional A$6.9 million over two years on mental health and suicide prevention for workers in high-risk industries, funding MATES in Construction to expand in New South Wales. Ministers Amanda Rishworth and Emma McBride announced the investment on October 22 as part of an extension of the National Suicide Prevention Leadership Support Programme. MATES has trained over 69,000 workers since 2022, producing more than 8,000 peer 'Connectors'.
Yesterday · Sunday 25 October
- Asia-Pacific·Policy & Law
Japan's 2026 average minimum wage rises to ¥1,177 per hour nationwide
Japan's 2026 minimum wage revision brings the nationwide average hourly minimum wage to ¥1,177, with new rates and effective dates varying across all 47 prefectures.
- Middle East & Africa·Policy & Law
UAE warns employers of five labour violations carrying fines up to Dh1 million
The UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation issued a sweeping warning on October 23, 2026, identifying five categories of labour law violations that carry fines of Dh100,000 to Dh1 million (about KSh 3.5 million to KSh 35 million) for private companies. The crackdown targets sectors like construction, hospitality, retail, security and domestic service that rely on migrant workers, including many from Kenya.
- Asia-Pacific·Policy & Law
Eighteen Categories of Foreign Workers Exempt from Vietnam Work Permits
Vietnam's Decree 393/2026/ND-CP effective December 15 exempts 18 categories of foreign workers from work permits, including investors, strategic tech experts, AI professionals, limited-liability and joint-stock shareholders meeting thresholds, foreign lawyers, and foreign nationals married to Vietnamese citizens residing in Vietnam.
- United States·Policy & Law
NLRB Rules USPS Illegally Restricted Workers' Safety Grievance Rights
The NLRB in June upheld a ruling that USPS illegally suppressed senior driver David Covarrubias's safety complaints and signature-gathering in 2021, with management and union both involved. USPS must revoke or amend rules restricting signature collection.
- China·Policy & Law
New rule: employers underpaying social insurance face up to 3x fines, waiver agreements invalid
China's new rule subjects employers underpaying social insurance to fines up to 3x the unpaid amount; employee-employer waiver agreements forfeiting social insurance contributions are invalid, strengthening employer contribution obligations.
- Canada & Latin America·Policy & Law
Canada's Express Entry to implement new CRS points rules effective November 3
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced on October 16, 2026 that changes to the Express Entry Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) will take effect November 3, 2026. The reform awards extra CRS points for high-wage job offers or qualifying Canadian work experience based on occupation wage levels, and removes the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) requirement for qualifying job offers under certain categories. A new Labour Market Integration Factor grants points based on how an occupation's median wage compares to the national median, with occupations below 1.3x the threshold ineligible.
- Asia-Pacific·Policy & Law
Malaysia's KESUMA Launches TalentCorp Governance Review Amid Alleged Interference
Malaysia's HR Ministry (KESUMA) announced October 22, 2026, that it is collaborating with TalentCorp to strengthen governance, compliance and operations, finding improvement gaps in bylaws, policy compliance and accountability mechanisms. The ministry formally reported alleged interference with the review investigation.
- Europe·Policy & Law
European Parliament approves common e-declaration system for posted workers
On October 20, the European Parliament approved, by a vote of 558-93 with 18 abstentions, a common electronic declaration portal to simplify filings for employers posting workers temporarily to another EU member state. Participation by member states remains voluntary, the system is not yet operational, and France's existing procedures remain unchanged for now.
- China·Policy & Law
Holding Certain Professional Certificates Allows 3,600 Yuan Individual Income Tax Deduction
Individuals holding qualified professional certificates may claim a 3,600 yuan personal income tax deduction for specialized additional expenses, according to regulatory provisions.
- United States·Policy & Law
American Physical Society Explains Proposed Changes to Optional Practical Training (OPT)
American Physical Society explains proposed changes to Optional Practical Training (OPT), which permits international students to work in the U.S. after graduation; specific reform details not yet detailed.
- Canada & Latin America·Policy & Law
San Luis Potosí employers accused of closing job opportunities to older workers, STPS warns
Mexico's Labor Ministry (STPS) warned that employers in San Luis Potosí are closing job opportunities to older workers, citing age discrimination concerns.
- Middle East & Africa·Policy & Law
Nigeria's Federal Government Tells Labour Minimum Wage Review Due in June 2027
Nigeria's Federal Government notified labor stakeholders that the national minimum wage will be reviewed in June 2027, with specific amounts and proposals to be determined.
- United States·Policy & Law
Oakland Advances $30 Minimum Wage Proposal as Alameda Fast-Food Workers Protest Alleged Wage Theft
Oakland city council advances a $30 per hour minimum wage proposal as Alameda fast-food workers at a Jack in the Box location strike over wage theft allegations. Legal Aid at Work has filed suit; California's current fast-food minimum wage is $20 hourly.
- Middle East & Africa·Policy & Law
Saudi Arabia Sets Minimum Salary at SAR 5,000 for Private-Sector Saudi Employees
Saudi Arabia set the private-sector minimum wage for Saudi employees at SAR 5,000.
- Canada & Latin America·Policy & Law
Mexico's Acuña prepares employers for phased rollout of 40-hour workweek reform
Mexico's National Employment Service (SNE) in Acuña is coordinating with business chambers and the maquiladora sector to prepare informational conferences for employers on the phased implementation of a labor reform reducing the workweek to 40 hours. Coahuila's Labor Secretariat had met with industry groups including Canacintra and Canaco.
- Europe·Policy & Law
German legal analysis: Employers can mandate AI tool use like ChatGPT
German legal analysis citing Commercial Code Section 106(1) confirms employers can unilaterally require AI tool use like ChatGPT, subject to basic oversight duties. Analysis references German Federal Labor Court precedent (Case 6 AZR 237/02, June 5, 2003) supporting employer authority over work tool selection.
- United States·Policy & Law
US Scraps Automatic Work Permit Extensions for H-4 Spouses, Tightens Visa Renewal Scrutiny
USCIS eliminated automatic work permit extensions for multiple immigration categories including H-4 visa holder spouses. A separate proposal would impose stricter visa renewal scrutiny; Indian-American families are identified as significantly affected populations.