Policy & Law
Employment law, enforcement and court rulings, immigration, payroll tax and social insurance changes around the world.
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215 in the last two weeksYesterday · Sunday 25 October
- Asia-Pacific·Policy & Law
Malaysian MP to urge PM to scrap 2% EPF contribution and wage hike for foreign workers
Malaysian MP Lim Guan Eng plans to meet Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Tuesday to push back against a proposed wage hike for foreign workers and a mandatory 2% EPF contribution by employers. He is urging the government to let existing foreign workers keep the RM1,700 minimum wage, applying new rules only to new hires. The measures remain under business-community lobbying, not finalized.
- 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.
- Asia-Pacific·Policy & Law
Seminar Held in Coimbatore on EPFO Scheme Updates Including Wage Ceiling Rise
India's Coimbatore Chamber of Commerce held a seminar on EPFO scheme updates, including a wage ceiling increase from 15,000 to 25,000 rupees monthly effective September 17, PM-VBRY employment scheme, employee registration for EEC 2026 through October 31, and VISHWAS 2026 penalty waiver plan.
- United States·Policy & Law
US Suspends 8 Tech Firms from PERM Labor Certification, Indian IT Workers Face Visa Uncertainty
On October 8, 2026, the US suspended eight firms—Microsoft, Adobe, TCS, Infosys, HCLTech, Wipro, Capgemini, and Cognizant—from PERM permanent labor certification, affecting their H-1B workers' green card pathways. Impacted employees receive eight-month grace periods after H-1B expiration; some roles may transfer to India.
- United States·Policy & Law
US Senator Proposes Nearly $140,000 H-1B Salary Threshold
A US senator proposed raising the H-1B visa minimum salary threshold to nearly $140,000 to increase wage standard requirements for employer applications.
- United States·Policy & Law
India Criticizes Vance's 'Indentured Servants' Remark Amid US Green Card Restrictions
Vice President Vance's remarks characterizing foreign workers as 「契约奴」 drew criticism from India amid U.S. restrictions on green card policies.
- Middle East & Africa·Policy & Law
UAE Sets Four Levels for Calculating Private Sector End-of-Service Gratuity
The UAE published four-level calculation standards for private-sector end-of-service gratuity, setting compensation benchmarks for private company employees.
- Canada & Latin America·Policy & Law
Dominican Labor Ministry to launch regulatory inspections of lottery shops within 30 days
Dominican Labor Minister Eddy Olivares Ortega ordered that lottery and betting shops nationwide—more than 110,000 shops employing around 200,000 workers, nearly all women—comply with the Labor Code, occupational health and safety rules, and social security obligations. A 30-calendar-day voluntary compliance period was set, after which regulatory inspections will begin.
- Middle East & Africa·Policy & Law
Qatar Announces Four Conditions Foreigners Must Meet for Company-Sponsored Work Visa
Qatar announces four conditions foreign nationals must meet to obtain company-sponsored work visas for employment in local enterprises.
- Canada & Latin America·Policy & Law
Mexico's 40-Hour Workweek Reform to Take Effect in Less Than Three Months
Mexico's Labor Ministry stated most workers will smoothly transition to the new 40-hour workweek arrangement, with some companies implementing early. The new regulation takes effect in less than three months.
- Canada & Latin America·Policy & Law
Colombia's Labor Ministry reforms inspection process to warn before fining
Colombia's Ministry of Labor introduced Circular 110, directing labor inspectors to first warn, advise and give employers a deadline to correct violations before opening a sanction process, when the situation allows. The measure does not apply to criminal conduct or cases handled by other authorities. Government spokesperson Miller Soto said the goal is to ensure workers actually receive what they are entitled to.
- Middle East & Africa·Policy & Law
King Salman Orders SR500 Allowance Increase, Raises Minimum Wage
King Salman ordered a SR500 allowance increase and raised the minimum wage for Saudi citizens.
- Middle East & Africa·Policy & Law
King Salman Orders Measures to Support Citizens Following Crown Prince's Proposal
King Salman ordered measures supporting Saudi citizens following Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's proposal, involving salary and benefits adjustments.
- Asia-Pacific·Policy & Law
Philippine TUCP Slams Western Visayas' P40-45 Minimum Wage Hike as 'Crumbs'
Philippines' DOLE regional wage board issued Order 30 raising Western Visayas minimum wage 40–45 pesos (≈P5/hour); agriculture workers rose from P520 to P565, capping daily pay at P590—below Manila's P755 and IBON Foundation's estimated P1,081 living wage. TUCP dismissed the hike as insignificant.