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Newsletter April, 2024

Australia: Workplace Gender Equality Agency published the first gender pay gap data

April, 2024
  • The Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) has published the first median gender pay gaps for Australian private sector employers, reflecting the Albanese Government's commitment to remedying inequities in the labour market.
  • It follows the adoption of the Workplace Gender Equality Amendment (Closing the Gender Pay Gap) Bill 2023, which requires the WGEA to publish the gender pay gap of relevant employers. This aim is to promote transparency and address gender pay gaps, as we reported here
  • This reporting requirement also includes information on sexual harassment, harassment on the grounds of sex, or discrimination.

Artificial Intelligence Act approved

April, 2024
  • On 13 March 2024, the European Parliament approved the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Act, with 523 votes in favour, 46 against and 49 abstentions.
  • This framework is designed to prevent the fragmentation of regulations across member states, providing a unified legal environment for AI deployment.

Singapore: Decision on post-employment restraints

April, 2024
  • In the judgment of Shopee Singapore Pte Ltd v. Lim Teck Yong [2024] SGHC 29, the High Court of Singapore explored the balance between enforcing restrictive covenants in employment contracts and preserving an individual's right to work.
  • The judgment critically examines the enforceability of non-competition and non-solicitation clauses, underscoring the necessity for these covenants to protect legitimate business interests without overly restricting the employee's future employment opportunities.

Africa: White paper on Artificial Intelligence in migrant population

April, 2024
  • Talenteum, the HR Fintech Startup that matches Talents from Africa willing to work remotely with international companies, recently published a white paper highlighting AI's crucial role in recognising migrant skills and fostering digital inclusion.
  • According to the paper, the effective use of AI in integrating migrant talent presents a unique opportunity to enhance workforce diversity, drive innovation, and promote social responsibility.
  • The presented challenges and solutions offer a roadmap to more effectively leveraging migrant talent, ensuring that businesses remain competitive and socially responsible in a rapidly evolving digital economy.

European Union: Council confirms agreement on platform workers

April, 2024
  • On 11 March 2024, European Union (EU) employment and social affairs ministers confirmed the provisional agreement on the platform work directive reached on 8 February 2024 between the Council's presidency and the European Parliament's negotiators.
  • The agreement sets a precedent for regulating algorithmic management and ensuring fair labour practices in the digital labour market.

ILO: Meeting of Experts on Wage Policies concluded

April, 2024
  • The International Labour Organization (ILO) achieved a landmark agreement on living wages during its Meeting of Experts on wage policies in Geneve last February. 
  • On 13 March 2024, the ILO’s Governing Body endorsed the agreement. 
  • It emphasises the role of social dialogue and collective bargaining in achieving living wages, advocating for wage-setting processes that reflect ILO principles, the diverse needs of workers, and economic realities.
Newsletter March, 2024

Chile: The Labour Directorate establishes the meaning and scope of Law No. 21.645 on the protection of maternity, paternity and family life

March, 2024
  • Law N°21.645, published on 29 December 2023, amended the Labour Code to strengthen maternity, paternity, and family life protections. It introduces a new regime for remote work and telecommuting under specific conditions.
  • On 26 January 2024, the National Director of Labour issued Dictamen N°67/1, providing legal interpretation and guidance on the law. 

Minimum wages in 2024: Eurofound analysis

March, 2024

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