About Labour Rights, Employee Retention, and the Retirement Age: HR News Roundup for April 2023
It is said that April showers bring May flowers. Would that be true in the world of HR? We round up the top news in April 2023.
Image credit: Malaysia Airports
EU to Back Labour Rights, Environmental Checks for Companies
The European Parliament has approved a proposal requiring large companies operating in the EU to conduct labour rights and environmental due diligence checks across their entire supply chains, making them liable for any harm caused. The measure aims to ensure that multinational companies are held accountable for their impacts on people and the planet, and to prevent human rights abuses, deforestation, and other environmental harms. The companies will also have to submit annual reports outlining their actions to address potential risks and adverse impacts. The measure will come into effect in 2023 and could lead to fines for non-compliance.
Image credit: AZHAR MAHFOF/The Star
Malaysia Investigates Cases of Stranded Migrant Workers
Malaysia is investigating the cases of migrant workers who have been left without passports and jobless, reportedly due to their employers seizing their travel documents. Activists say that the issue is widespread and has become more prevalent since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Workers who are left without passports and jobs are left in a precarious position, as they cannot legally work in the country or leave. The Malaysian government has said that they are taking the matter seriously and are investigating the allegations.
Image credit: Lim Yaohui/The Straits Times
Singapore Allows More Foreign Visitors to Use Automated Clearance Initiative
Singapore has expanded its Automated Clearance Initiative (ACI) system to eligible visitors from 35 additional jurisdictions, including Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Australia, and Macau. The system allows eligible visitors to clear immigration using automated kiosks instead of queuing at manned counters, saving time and improving efficiency. The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) expects 95% of all arrivals at Changi Airport to be cleared through ACI by 2024. The expansion of ACI is part of Singapore's efforts to enhance its border clearance processes and improve the travel experience for visitors.
Learning and Skills Development Critical for Employee Retention
The lack of opportunities for skills development could drive top talent away from organizations, according to a survey by Workplace Intelligence. The survey found that over 80% of employees, notably Millennial and Generation Z staff believe that the responsibility of skills development falls on the employer. Furthermore, over 60% of respondents said that they would consider leaving their current organization due to a lack of training and development opportunities. The survey also revealed that 88% of employees are already putting a significant amount of time and effort towards improving their own skills.
Meta Pauses Remote Work Hiring Despite Pandemic Pledge
Meta has paused remote work hiring and placed a hiring freeze in some of its divisions following mass layoffs in its non-technical workforce. The company had announced in June 2021 that it would be allowing most of its employees to work remotely permanently. However, this new decision is a result of the company's aim to rebalance its workforce towards technical roles as it invests more in areas such as virtual and augmented reality. The company has not disclosed how many jobs were affected by the layoffs. In a March 2023 notice to employees, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg said that data suggested "engineers who either joined Meta in-person and then transferred to remote or remained in-person performed better on average than people who joined remotely".
Image credit: Swapnil Bapat/Unsplash
Malaysia Debates Increasing Retirement Age
Proposals to increase the retirement age from 60 to 65 has sparked a debate among Malaysians. Some argue that the move would help address the country's aging population and labor shortage issues, while others believe that it would lead to younger workers struggling to find jobs and result in a decrease in productivity among older workers. Additionally, concerns have been raised about the impact on retirement savings and the ability of older workers to maintain their health and well-being in the workforce. The government has yet to make a final decision on the matter.
Learn how BrioHR can simplify HR for your business by getting a free demo here.
It is said that April showers bring May flowers. Would that be true in the world of HR? We round up the top news in April 2023.
EU to Back Labour Rights, Environmental Checks for Companies
The European Parliament has approved a proposal requiring large companies operating in the EU to conduct labour rights and environmental due diligence checks across their entire supply chains, making them liable for any harm caused. The measure aims to ensure that multinational companies are held accountable for their impacts on people and the planet, and to prevent human rights abuses, deforestation, and other environmental harms. The companies will also have to submit annual reports outlining their actions to address potential risks and adverse impacts. The measure will come into effect in 2023 and could lead to fines for non-compliance.
Malaysia Investigates Cases of Stranded Migrant Workers
Malaysia is investigating the cases of migrant workers who have been left without passports and jobless, reportedly due to their employers seizing their travel documents. Activists say that the issue is widespread and has become more prevalent since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Workers who are left without passports and jobs are left in a precarious position, as they cannot legally work in the country or leave. The Malaysian government has said that they are taking the matter seriously and are investigating the allegations.
Singapore Allows More Foreign Visitors to Use Automated Clearance Initiative
Singapore has expanded its Automated Clearance Initiative (ACI) system to eligible visitors from 35 additional jurisdictions, including Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Australia, and Macau. The system allows eligible visitors to clear immigration using automated kiosks instead of queuing at manned counters, saving time and improving efficiency. The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) expects 95% of all arrivals at Changi Airport to be cleared through ACI by 2024. The expansion of ACI is part of Singapore’s efforts to enhance its border clearance processes and improve the travel experience for visitors.
Learning and Skills Development Critical for Employee Retention
The lack of opportunities for skills development could drive top talent away from organizations, according to a survey by Workplace Intelligence. The survey found that over 80% of employees, notably Millennial and Generation Z staff believe that the responsibility of skills development falls on the employer. Furthermore, over 60% of respondents said that they would consider leaving their current organization due to a lack of training and development opportunities. The survey also revealed that 88% of employees are already putting a significant amount of time and effort towards improving their own skills.
Meta Pauses Remote Work Hiring Despite Pandemic Pledge
Meta has paused remote work hiring and placed a hiring freeze in some of its divisions following mass layoffs in its non-technical workforce. The company had announced in June 2021 that it would be allowing most of its employees to work remotely permanently. However, this new decision is a result of the company’s aim to rebalance its workforce towards technical roles as it invests more in areas such as virtual and augmented reality. The company has not disclosed how many jobs were affected by the layoffs. In a March 2023 notice to employees, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg said that data suggested “engineers who either joined Meta in-person and then transferred to remote or remained in-person performed better on average than people who joined remotely”.
Malaysia Debates Increasing Retirement Age
Proposals to increase the retirement age from 60 to 65 has sparked a debate among Malaysians. Some argue that the move would help address the country’s aging population and labor shortage issues, while others believe that it would lead to younger workers struggling to find jobs and result in a decrease in productivity among older workers. Additionally, concerns have been raised about the impact on retirement savings and the ability of older workers to maintain their health and well-being in the workforce. The government has yet to make a final decision on the matter.
Learn how BrioHR can simplify HR for your business by getting a free demo here.
