Policy & Law
Employment law, enforcement and court rulings, immigration, payroll tax and social insurance changes around the world.
Page 6
215 in the last two weeksSaturday 24 October
- Asia-Pacific·Policy & Law
Centre and Uttar Pradesh to Hold Two-Day Shram Samvad on Labour Codes in Lucknow
India's Labour & Employment Ministry and Uttar Pradesh government hold a two-day 「Shram Samvad」 in Lucknow October 26–27, 2026, focusing on labour codes, worker welfare and social security—part of a national 90-day roadshow across 316 districts.
- Canada & Latin America·Policy & Law
Mexico's 40-Hour Workweek Reform Sparks Fears of Layoffs and Price Hikes
Mexico's proposed 40-hour workweek reform may trigger corporate layoffs and price increases, though specific legislative timelines and implementation dates remain unclear, according to reports.
- United States·Policy & Law
Bipartisan Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Ban Non-Competes for Lower-Paid Workers
US Representatives Anna Paulina Luna (R) and Ro Khanna (D) introduced the「Workers' Right to Compete Act」to ban non-competes for employees earning under $100,000 annually. If passed, it bans new and existing agreements 30 days after enactment, freeing previously restricted workers.
- Europe·Policy & Law
German report clarifies when home office accidents count as workplace accidents
German labor law clarifies when home office accidents qualify as workplace injuries, according to FAZ reporting, though specific case decisions and legal details were not provided.
- Canada & Latin America·Policy & Law
Mexico's private security sector adjusts shifts and tech ahead of 40-hour workweek
Mexican private security firms adjust operations for 40-hour workweek reforms. Industry association AMESP projects workforce expansion of 30–50% across the private security sector.
- China·Policy & Law
Human resources authorities clarify that voluntary resignation can qualify for unemployment benefits in certain cases
China's human resources authorities clarified that workers can claim unemployment insurance benefits in certain cases of voluntary resignation. Eligibility criteria vary by local authorities.
- United States·Policy & Law
Court Enjoins FTC Non-Compete Rule, Raising Questions for Employers
A court has issued an injunction against the FTC's non-compete ban, raising questions about whether employers can resume using non-compete clauses after the rule is blocked.
- United States·Policy & Law
Sacramento Court Workers Authorize Strike on or After October 30 Over Stalled Pay Talks
Sacramento Superior Court's ~450 employees, represented by United Public Employees union, authorized a strike on or after October 30 following failed pay talks. The union seeks 4% raises; the court claimed insufficient funds despite alleged management pay increases.
- China·Policy & Law
China Improves Convenience of Housing Provident Fund Usage
China improves convenience of housing provident fund usage, streamlining withdrawal and loan processes; specific policy details, jurisdiction scope and effective dates remain unclear.
- United States·Policy & Law
Social Security Gets a Shakeup in 2027. Here's What's in Store
U.S. Social Security system faces multiple changes in 2027 affecting retirement and related benefits policies, though specific details remain undisclosed in available reports.
- United States·Policy & Law
Northview Village Nursing Home Reaches $364K WARN Act Settlement
Approximately 184 former Northview Village nursing home employees will receive automatic payments under a pending WARN Act class action settlement totaling $364,000, stemming from the Hawthorne v. Northview Village Inc. case.
- China·Policy & Law
Seven platforms jointly call for gig workers to enroll in health insurance
Seven internet platform companies in China jointly issued an initiative urging gig economy workers, such as delivery riders and ride-hailing drivers, to enroll in medical insurance, aiming to improve social protection for this workforce.
- United States·Policy & Law
California's AB 2155 Takes Effect January 1, 2027, Changing Arbitration Enforcement Rules
California's AB 2155 takes effect January 1, 2027, eliminating employers' prior state law compliance pathway for arbitration enforcement. The state Supreme Court will hear Leeper v. Shipt November 3, determining if PAGA plaintiffs can avoid arbitration by excluding individual claims from complaints.
- China·Policy & Law
Hunan issues 15th Five-Year employment and vocational training plan, targets 3.25 million new jobs by 2030
Hunan province has officially issued its 15th Five-Year Plan for Employment Promotion and Vocational Skills Training, targeting over 3.25 million new urban jobs by 2030. The plan covers industry-driven job creation, skills-based pay benchmarks, improved employment services, crackdowns on wage arrears and employment discrimination, and regulation of platform algorithms and gig work, extending protections to delivery riders and ride-hailing drivers.
- Europe·Policy & Law
German Dismissal Protection Law Changes in 2026: What Employers Must Know
Anwalt.de reported German dismissal protection laws will change in 2026, alerting employers to new compliance requirements when terminating employees.
- Europe·Policy & Law
Germany's BMAS Publishes 2027 Social Insurance Contribution Assessment Ceiling Ordinance
Germany's Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs published the 2027 social insurance contribution assessment ceiling ordinance.
- Asia-Pacific·Policy & Law
Bombay High Court Rules EPFO Cannot Reject Higher EPS-95 Pension Applications Over Employer PF Trust Caps
On October 19, 2026, India's Bombay High Court ruled the EPFO cannot reject private-sector employees' higher EPS-95 pension applications solely due to employer PF trust caps. The ruling covers 40+ employees at Abbott India, Tata Communications, Raymond Steel and BEST Transport; the EPFO must process applications within eight weeks.
- Middle East & Africa·Policy & Law
Morocco to Gradually Reform Income Tax from 2027-2031 to Ease Burden on Workers
Morocco will phase in personal income tax (IR) reforms from 2027–2031, Finance Minister Fouzi Lekjaa announced to parliament. The overhaul aims to ease burdens on wage-earners and middle-class workers, raise tax-free thresholds, and incrementally boost minimum pensions and widow benefits.
- Europe·Policy & Law
Spain's Workers' Statute confirms unlimited-age reduced hours for childcare
Spain's Workers' Statute amendment removes age limits for reduced working hours to care for seriously ill children, strengthening protections for families requiring long-term care.
- Canada & Latin America·Policy & Law
Mexico and US Close Amphenol Case Under USMCA Rapid Response Labor Mechanism
Mexico and the U.S. closed the Amphenol Optimize México (Sonora) case under the USMCA labor rapid response mechanism. Amphenol rehired 9 employees, issued neutrality pledge, provided training, adopted zero-tolerance policy and established anonymous reporting channel; both governments deemed remedies sufficient.
- Canada & Latin America·Policy & Law
Brazil's TST grants 30% hazard pay to motorcycle-riding salesman
Brazil's TST labor court ruled a beverage firm must pay 30% hazard pay to motorcycle-riding salesmen. The court found the right stems from CLT Article 193 Paragraph 4 (added December 2014) as self-executing; TST overturned a TRT regional court's reversal, restoring payment effective June 18, 2014.
- United States·Policy & Law
Indians Face Backlash Over US Tech Jobs as H-1B Visas Become a Flashpoint
Growing numbers of Indian professionals in U.S. tech trigger backlash over immigration, jobs and wages as critics accuse foreign workers of displacing Americans and helping suppress costs. H-1B visa restrictions loom, potentially affecting tech hiring and housing demand.
- United States·Policy & Law
Indian-American Group Urges Trump to Protect PERM Green Card Program Amid Tech Company Suspensions
An Indian-American group urged the Trump administration to protect the PERM green card program after tech companies suspended immigration sponsorship initiatives.
- China·Policy & Law
China's State Council Executive Meeting Proposes Optimizing Family Fiscal, Social Security and Housing Support
China's State Council executive meeting proposed optimizing fiscal, social security and housing support for families to stabilize newborn population levels, though specific policy details and effective dates were not disclosed.
- Europe·Policy & Law
Unions Preemptively Demand Workplace Access Ahead of UK Employment Rights Act
UK unions began preemptively requesting workplace access ahead of October 30 Employment Rights Act implementation, granting union representatives and officials entry to offices and factories. Critics warn the act will impose significant costs and workplace disruption.
- Europe·Policy & Law
Proposed Law Could Give Lithuanian Platform Workers More Rights and Social Protections
Lithuania proposes new legislation to grant gig workers on digital platforms greater labour rights and social protections, currently in legislative proposal phase.
- Asia-Pacific·Policy & Law
India EPFO ECR Deadline Oct 31: New PF Wage Ceiling Affects Contributions
India's EPFO electronic challan receipt (ECR) submission deadline is October 31; new PF wage ceiling adjustments affect employer and employee contributions and membership, requiring advance employer awareness.
Friday 23 October
- China·Policy & Law
China's State Council Executive Meeting Signals Social Security Changes, October Payments Increase
China's State Council executive meeting signaled social security changes, with reports indicating October pension payments increased, though specific adjustment rates and policy details were not disclosed.
- Asia-Pacific·Policy & Law
ACCCIM Warns Excessive Minimum Wage Hike Could Cause Cost Shock for Malaysian Businesses
Malaysia's Chinese Chamber of Commerce warns that excessive minimum wage increases risk cost shock for thin-margin businesses, raising concerns about competitiveness.
- Europe·Policy & Law
German Federal Labor Court Limits Lost-Earnings Claims in Hiring Discrimination Cases
Germany's Federal Labor Court ruled September 10, 2026, that employers need not pay ongoing lost-wages damages under the AGG equality law if rejected age-discrimination applicants obtain stable suitable work elsewhere. The case involved a trainee candidate rejected for exceeding the degree-acquisition deadline by one year.