Global Compliance

Young People Hit Hardest by Working Conditions in the Netherlands

While the spring started out positively for those working in the Netherlands, the summer season hasn’t seen the same level of positive returns over the past few weeks. Even though from May to July of this year, there was a substantial increase in the number of working-age people (9 million of ages 15 to 74), the progress has not only stalled, but has also started to decline with 4000 people per month being laid off since the start of July. The age

Truck Drivers, Trade Unions and the Impending Strikes in Portugal

After weeks and months of negotiations, Portugal is preparing for disruption as transport trucks are scheduled to begin their strike on August 12. The full magnitude of the strike has not been defined, but the nation is preparing all industries for material shortages and shipment delays. Truck drivers are some of Portugal’s most underpaid and overworked employees and face dangerous and harmful situations as they transport hazardous materials across the country daily.

Avoiding Employment Law Problems in China

With China’s economy slowing down, foreign-owned companies in China are facing increasing scrutiny in different aspects of their business, especially if they hire Chinese workers. As a whole, the Chinese government has become stricter about the business dealings of foreign companies, making it all the more important for foreign companies to be completely compliant with Chinese labor laws and standards (both national and local standards), while also providing ethical work conditions.

Productivity Trends in France

President Emmanuel Macron of France wants its citizens to work longer hours in an effort to increase the country’s tax revenues. Working 13 percent fewer hours than the OECD average, and 14 percent less than US workers, the full-time French working week, at 35-hours, is 3 hours shorter than those in the UK and other wealthy countries.

The Stress of Money in the UK

A recent survey in the UK revealed that only 19 percent of employees are completely satisfied with the amount they are currently being compensated. Even though the UK is enjoying the lowest unemployment rate they’ve seen in decades, it turns out that employees are still struggling to make ends meet.

Changes to the DIFC Employment Law in the UAE

As of June 2019, the Dubai International Finance Centre announced a new law to replace the existing employment law that has been in practice since 2005. The changes will directly affect approximately 24,000 employees of the DIFC and has been structured to provide a balance and synergy between the business interests of the employers and the rights of the employees at the DIFC.

Rapid Decline in Slovakia’s Auto Industry

Per capita, Slovakia has long been considered as the world’s largest automobile producer, with approximately 12% of the nation’s annual economic output generated from vehicle production. What used to be considered an industry with secure, well-paying jobs, with long-term employment prospects is now looking more like an economic wasteland of epic proportions. The downturn in this industry is indisputably devastating to the nation. Over 3,000 jobs have been terminated so far, creating a huge concern for the future of Slovakia’s largest provider of private sector employment.

New Employee Benefits Mandated in Thailand

Thanks to amended labor protection laws, more employees in Thailand will be protected from unfair treatment since there are now increased regulations for employee entitled benefits. Employers now have increased obligations to raise the overall well-being of the workers of this country in areas such as maternity leave and severance pay benefits, among others.

The Disappointing Truth Behind Migrant Labor

As of 2017, it has been estimated that approximately 240 million global migrant workers are working to send home around $466 billion to their families on an annual basis.

While it seems admirable that these migrant workers have moved away from home in an effort to support their families with better qualities of life, the reality of the conditions in which they frequently find themselves working can be very concerning.

Changes to Singapore Employment Act

While many pieces of Singapore’s Employment Act were adapted to reflect a more modern standard, the biggest piece that changed and the one generating the most discussion has been the newly created ability for employees to follow through with wrongful dismissal claims against their employers. While some facets of wrongful dismissal were accounted for before the amendments were passed, the distinction of cases that could apply as wrongful dismissal were identified in an attempt to clarify what was eligible and decrease the frequency of these claims while increasing the rights of the employees in Singapore.