About Border Reopening, Health and Safety, and Employment Laws: HR News Roundup for January 2023
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Amendments to Malaysia’s Employment Act to Come into Force on 1 January 2023
- China Reopens Borders Effective 8 January 2023
- Malaysia to Relax Hiring of Foreign Workers
- Singapore Government Accepts Recommendations to Improve Workplace Health and Safety
- Job Ads for Hybrid Work Increase 42% in Hong Kong
It’s now 2023, which means HR is gearing up for what looks like another eventful year. We round up the top HR news stories of January 2023, which will set the tone for the year and beyond.
Amendments to Malaysia’s Employment Act to Come into Force on 1 January 2023
Malaysia’s amendments to the Employment Act 1955 have come into force on 1 January 2023, despite calls from employers to postpone it to 2024.
The Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) has called on employers not to delay implementation of the amended Act any longer, and for those who fail to implement the amendments to face strict action.
Image credit: Reuters/Thomas Peter
China Reopens Borders Effective 8 January 2023
China has opened its borders to international travellers, ending one of the world’s strictest pandemic regimes.
Only a negative nucleic acid test from within 48 hours after departure will be required for inbound travellers. There will be no longer be any nucleic acid testing or quarantine requirements upon arrival.
Among the new COVID management measures are dropping strict quarantine measures for infected patients, dropping designations of high-risk and low-risk areas, and removing passenger capacity limits on international flights.
Image credit: Ministry of Manpower
Malaysia to Relax Hiring of Foreign Workers
In order to meet the demand for foreign employees, the Malaysian government has agreed to reinstate the labour recalibration programme and develop a more relaxed strategy for hiring foreign workers.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said employers won't have to go through pre-requisite hiring processes or meet quota requirements in order to hire foreign workers from 15 source countries.
This comes as employers face a labour crunch as post-pandemic demand rebounds amidst an improving economy. Saifudin said that the programme is specifically targeted at hard-to-fill 3D jobs, i.e. jobs that are dirty, difficult, and dangerous.
Singapore Government Accepts Recommendations to Improve Workplace Health and Safety
The Singaporean Ministry of Manpower has accepted key recommendations by the International Advisory Panel (IAP) on strengthening workplace safety and health. These recommendations aim to reduce workplace incidents as well as mitigate the risks arising from climate change and green technology.
These recommendations include bringing business interests in alignment with health and safety, encouraging workers to speak up, as well as encouraging management to grow a culture where safety considerations and training are embedded into all aspects.
The aim is not only to reduce workplace injuries as a result of basic safety lapses, but also to better support an ageing workforce and be prepared for potential safety risks with new technologies.
Job Ads for Hybrid Work Increase 42% in Hong Kong
The job market in Hong Kong has become more active as the pandemic's effects fade. Hong Kong employees are also more active in looking for jobs that fit their requirements like hybrid work, according to the most recent statistics on job advertisements from JobsDB.
Overall job postings have surged by 53% since the early pandemic phase in 2020, with job advertisements mentioning ‘hybrid’ increasing 42% year-on-year. In terms of search volume among candidates, ‘hybrid’ has surged 156%, reflecting a desire for flexibility in and out of the workplace.
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It’s now 2023, which means HR is gearing up for what looks like another eventful year. We round up the top HR news stories of January 2023, which will set the tone for the year and beyond.
Amendments to Malaysia’s Employment Act to Come into Force on 1 January 2023
Malaysia’s amendments to the Employment Act 1955 have come into force on 1 January 2023, despite calls from employers to postpone it to 2024.
The Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) has called on employers not to delay implementation of the amended Act any longer, and for those who fail to implement the amendments to face strict action.
China Reopens Borders Effective 8 January 2023
China has opened its borders to international travellers, ending one of the world’s strictest pandemic regimes.
Only a negative nucleic acid test from within 48 hours after departure will be required for inbound travellers. There will be no longer be any nucleic acid testing or quarantine requirements upon arrival.
Among the new COVID management measures are dropping strict quarantine measures for infected patients, dropping designations of high-risk and low-risk areas, and removing passenger capacity limits on international flights.
Malaysia to Relax Hiring of Foreign Workers
In order to meet the demand for foreign employees, the Malaysian government has agreed to reinstate the labour recalibration programme and develop a more relaxed strategy for hiring foreign workers.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said employers won’t have to go through pre-requisite hiring processes or meet quota requirements in order to hire foreign workers from 15 source countries.
This comes as employers face a labour crunch as post-pandemic demand rebounds amidst an improving economy. Saifudin said that the programme is specifically targeted at hard-to-fill 3D jobs, i.e. jobs that are dirty, difficult, and dangerous.
Singapore Government Accepts Recommendations to Improve Workplace Health and Safety
The Singaporean Ministry of Manpower has accepted key recommendations by the International Advisory Panel (IAP) on strengthening workplace safety and health. These recommendations aim to reduce workplace incidents as well as mitigate the risks arising from climate change and green technology.
These recommendations include bringing business interests in alignment with health and safety, encouraging workers to speak up, as well as encouraging management to grow a culture where safety considerations and training are embedded into all aspects.
The aim is not only to reduce workplace injuries as a result of basic safety lapses, but also to better support an ageing workforce and be prepared for potential safety risks with new technologies.
Job Ads for Hybrid Work Increase 42% in Hong Kong
The job market in Hong Kong has become more active as the pandemic’s effects fade. Hong Kong employees are also more active in looking for jobs that fit their requirements like hybrid work, according to the most recent statistics on job advertisements from JobsDB.
Overall job postings have surged by 53% since the early pandemic phase in 2020, with job advertisements mentioning ‘hybrid’ increasing 42% year-on-year. In terms of search volume among candidates, ‘hybrid’ has surged 156%, reflecting a desire for flexibility in and out of the workplace.
