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 weeksFriday 23 October
- United States·Policy & Law
November 2026 Visa Bulletin: Final Action Dates Advance, Filing Dates Hold
The November 2026 visa bulletin advanced certain final action dates while filing dates remained unchanged, affecting employer-sponsored immigration and visa priority scheduling.
- Asia-Pacific·Policy & Law
Philippine NBI raids Subic 'scam hub,' rescues more than 200 Vietnamese workers
The Philippine National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) raided a suspected scam hub in Subic, rescuing more than 200 Vietnamese workers.
- Canada & Latin America·Policy & Law
Canada immigration authority closes PR pathway, returns all related work permit applications immediately
According to the report, Canada's immigration authority announced the closure of a pathway previously allowing transition to permanent residency, with all related work permit applications being returned immediately as the change takes effect. The report does not specify the exact program name, number of affected applicants, or an official document link.
- Canada & Latin America·Policy & Law
Buenos Aires provincial Supreme Court issues ruling favoring Milei's labor reform
Argentina's Buenos Aires provincial Supreme Court reportedly issued a ruling favoring President Milei's labor reform, stirring debate over pending vacancy appointments to the court. Details of the ruling were not specified.
- Europe·Policy & Law
Tribunal rules PSNI holiday pay claims in Agnew II can go back to 1996
An Industrial Tribunal in Belfast issued its remedy judgment in the PSNI holiday pay case (Agnew II), resolving questions left open by the UK Supreme Court in 2023. Eligible claimants can claim back as far as 23 November 1996, though no interest is payable and each must prove individual loss. With over 7,000 claimants and no single valuation formula, the tribunal strongly encouraged settlement.
- Europe·Policy & Law
UK EAT rules on reasonable adjustments in neurodivergent candidate's interview case
The UK Employment Appeal Tribunal ruled on Mr Bryce v Coventry City Council, a case brought by a neurodivergent (autistic and dyslexic) job applicant challenging a competency-based interview. The judgment gave a mixed outcome for the employer, clarifying reasonable adjustment duties in recruitment and reminding employers not to assess candidates through a neurotypical lens.
- Europe·Policy & Law
France's 2027 budget bill proposes taxing salary supplement allowances starting 2031
According to the report, France's 2027 budget bill (PLF 2027) proposes taxing various allowances paid as a complement to salary starting in 2031. The measure is still at the proposal stage within the budget bill and has not been finalized.
- United States·Policy & Law
Harvard Graduate Students Union weighs strike as university responds
The Harvard Graduate Students Union (HGSU-UAW) is holding a vote on authorization for another strike, prompting Harvard's director of Labor and Employee Relations to issue a public statement. The article discusses whether the potential strike would be legally protected.
- United States·Policy & Law
Chicago Board of Education approves new four-year $64.8 million contract for lunchroom workers
After more than a year of negotiations, the Chicago Board of Education unanimously approved a new four-year, $64.8 million contract with Unite Here Local 1, covering over 1,800 CPS lunchroom workers. The deal, retroactive to June 2025, raises minimum hourly pay from about $17 to $21 and adds a 4% cost-of-living raise next July, followed by 2.5% in 2028.
- Canada & Latin America·Policy & Law
Ontario cuts WSIB employer premiums amid agency's own layoffs
CUPE criticized the Ontario government's decision to further cut WSIB employer premium rates, calling it an additional blow to injured workers amid long-standing compensation cuts and ongoing layoffs at WSIB itself. The report did not specify the size of the premium cut or the number of layoffs.
- Europe·Policy & Law
New UK rules to give new parents fresh employment protections
According to HR Magazine, new parents are set to gain fresh employment protections in the UK. The available excerpt does not specify the details, effective date or scope of the new protections.
- Europe·Policy & Law
Tesco loses final bid to block major equal pay decision
UK retailer Tesco has lost its final attempt to block a major equal pay ruling. Details of the underlying case, including compensation figures, were not provided in the report.
- Europe·Policy & Law
UK to introduce stricter dismissal protections for pregnant employees and parents from October 2027
People Management reports that UK organisations will face stricter rules on dismissing employees starting October 2027, with new protections targeting pregnant women and parents. Experts outline practical compliance steps employers should take, though full details require registration to access.
- China·Policy & Law
Changsha fund policy sees over 1,100 property fee withdrawals in under 24 hours
Changsha's Housing Provident Fund Management Committee implemented a notice optimizing fund policies starting October 23, valid for five years, adding withdrawal options for property fees and home renovation. By 2pm that day, 1,146 property-fee withdrawal applications had been accepted. The annual property-fee withdrawal cap is RMB 3,000 per household, while renovation withdrawals are capped at RMB 1,500 per square meter and RMB 216,000 total.
- China·Policy & Law
Jiangsu retiree wins pension backpay after prosecutors' protest overturns tenure ruling
A retiree in Jiangsu, surnamed Zhu, was denied recognition of four years of work tenure before 1992 by the local human resources and social security bureau, and lost in court. After Jiangsu's procuratorate investigated and filed a protest, the provincial high court reopened the case. On June 26, 2025, the bureau recognized the tenure and paid the pension difference.
- Asia-Pacific·Policy & Law
India caps government EPS pension contribution at ₹15,000 wage base despite EPFO wage hike
India's Ministry of Labour and Employment notified an amendment to the Employees' Pension Scheme (EPS) Rules 2026 on October 15, 2026, capping the government's EPS contribution base at ₹15,000 even though the EPFO wage ceiling for employer and employee contributions was raised from ₹15,000 to ₹25,000. The government will continue contributing 1.16% based on the old ₹15,000 limit, meaning no increase in its contribution.
- Asia-Pacific·Policy & Law
Vietnam decree exempts 18 categories of foreign workers from work permit
Vietnam issued Decree No. 393/2026/ND-CP on October 20, exempting 18 categories of foreign workers from work permit requirements, effective December 5, to streamline procedures and attract high-skilled talent. Exempt groups include owners of companies with capital contributions of VND3 billion or more, ODA project experts, certified foreign journalists, volunteers, and foreign teachers/managers. Vietnam currently has 162,858 foreign workers nationwide.
- Asia-Pacific·Policy & Law
Cambodia's Ministry of Labour strengthens clean energy skills cooperation, targets training 1.5 million by 2030
Cambodia's Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training (MLVT) said it is strengthening cooperation on clean energy skills development at CEW2026. The government aims to equip 1.5 million people with skills via TVET by 2030. A report by EnergyLab Southeast Asia projects tens of thousands of new jobs in solar, energy efficiency and EV servicing.
- United States·Policy & Law
October 2026 Visa Bulletin restores availability in several employment-based categories
The US State Department's October 2026 Visa Bulletin, the first of FY2027, restored availability in several employment-based immigrant visa categories and adjusted cutoff dates. USCIS confirmed applicants may use the more favorable Dates for Filing chart in October, expanding eligibility. EB-2 and EB-5 India Unreserved regained final action dates, while some Rest of World categories retrogressed to stay within FY2027 limits.
- China·Policy & Law
Changsha housing fund new policy takes effect October 23
Changsha's new housing provident fund policy officially took effect on October 23, 2026, adding new withdrawal scenarios for property management fees and home renovation to broaden the fund's use and help contributors improve housing conditions.
- Asia-Pacific·Policy & Law
Australia raises vehicle allowance for aged care workers by 4 cents per km for six months
Australia's Fair Work Ombudsman announced a temporary 4-cent-per-kilometre increase to the vehicle allowance under the Aged Care Award and the SCHADS Award, from $1.01 to $1.05 per km, to address rising fuel costs. The increase takes effect from the first full pay period on or after September 1 and lasts until February 28, 2027.
Thursday 22 October
- 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·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·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.
- Canada & Latin America·Policy & Law
Argentina's ARCA removes withholding requirement for temp staffing agencies' client firms
Argentina's tax authority ARCA issued Resolution 5913/2026, eliminating the requirement for companies using temporary staffing agencies to withhold employer social security contributions, shifting that responsibility entirely to the staffing agencies. The change implements Labor Modernization Law 27.802 and Decree 407/2026, and took effect upon publication in the Official Gazette.
- 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.
Wednesday 21 October
- China·Policy & Law
China's provident fund renovation-withdrawal policy sees over 20 cities act within first month
One month after China's revised housing provident fund policy, which added home renovation as a valid withdrawal reason, took effect, more than 20 cities nationwide have issued supporting implementation rules or taken related action. Specific city-by-city details were not provided in the report.