Month: December 2018

Slovakia to require Recreation Benefit

Starting from 1 January 2019, employers with at least 50 employees will be required to pay up to 55 percent of eligible recreation costs. The employer shall reimburse a maximum of EUR 275 per year (tax-free) when employees spend up […]

Russia to compensate unused holidays

On 25 October 2018, the Russian Federation’s Constitutional Court ruled that employers must pay compensation for all unused holidays to the employee upon termination of employment. The payment should be made regardless of when the employment is terminated.

Mexico ratifies International Labour Organization Agreement

On 20 September 2018, the Mexican senate ratified the International Labour Organization (ILO) agreement 98 on labor union freedom and collective bargaining. The Mexican government is expected to amend the Mexican Federal Labor Law by January 2019 to ensure the […]

Kenya creates National Housing Development Fund

The Kenyan government passed the Finance Act, 2018 creating a national housing development fund to help employees earning up to KES 100,000 per month to finance the purchase of their first home via government sponsored housing plans. Starting from 1 […]

China to levy social insurance taxes

Starting 1 January 2019, social security contributions will be levied by the tax authorities rather than social insurance administrative authorities. This change is part of the government’s ongoing efforts to increase compliance with social insurance contribution requirements while standardizing, and in […]

Canada federal pay equity legislation enacted

Bill C-86 passed the Canadian Parliament on 3 December 2018, and is awaiting Royal Assent. The bill enacts the Pay Equity Act, which requires federal public and private sector employers that have 10 or more employees to establish and maintain a […]

Quebec Voluntary Retirement Savings Plan contribution rate increase

The default mandatory employee contribution rate to Quebec Voluntary Retirement Savings Plans (VRSP) will increase from 3 percent to 4 percent on 1 January 2019. Employers who do not have a corporate retirement plan are required to enroll their staff working […]

Ontario passes Pay Transparency Act

On 6 December 2018, the Canadian government passed Bill 57. The bill postpones the implementation of Bill 203, the Ontario Pay Transparency Act, 2018, from 1 January 2019, to a later date to be named by the Lieutenant Governor. The […]

Australia amends catastrophic injury regulations

The Australian federal government amended the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Rules 2018 by introducing a new definition of “catastrophic injuries” at the workplace, which may affect workers’ compensation claims. The definition now includes spinal cord, brain, amputation, burn and blindness […]