Made in China 2025

On October 26^th, 2016, HRD, a HR renowned magazine with Asia coverage, asked our team to comment on the legal terms to be considered while submitting Employment Pass (EP) applications for their clients. The article offered insight on changes in the procedural aspects of EP application laid down by the Ministry of Manpower, Singapore. HRD is Asia’s leading source of management, leadership, employment law and human resources news. The published HRD article can be found here.

The international HRD magazine approached Caroline Berube to comment on the topic of recovering overpaid wages from employees. Caroline advices all clients to include a clause in their employment contract to deal with this matter.. You can read the full article on the HRD website here: http://www.hrdmag.com.sg/news/can-overpaid-wages-be-recovered

“Can the steel game be played fairly?” was published on the International Bar Association’s (IBA) website and authored by Stephen Mulrenan. The article is about the steel industry worldwide and Caroline Berube commented on the industry within China. You can read the complete article here: http://www.ibanet.org/, where Caroline, HJM’s managing partner, was quoted.

The international HRD magazine once again interviewed Caroline Berube. As sexual harassment is one of the most sensitive issues in the workplace, Caroline was interviewed on regional law variance found in Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia. For example, did you know that there are no special rules for employers on sexual harassment in Indonesia while Singapore has two acts to protect its labor force- the Penal Code and the Protection from Harassment Act 2014. You can read the full article here: http://www.hrdmag.com.sg/news/dont-touch-me–sexual-harassment-laws-in-sea-213650.aspx

“Asia: China Trade” was published on the International Bar Association’s (IBA) website and authored by Stephen Mulrenan. The article was on the Chinese ecommerce giant Alibaba which is taking action to reduce the number of counterfeit goods on its sites. As the company looks to expand internationally, gaining the trust of major retailers will be key to driving success. You can read the complete article here: http://www.ibanet.org/, where Caroline, HJM’s managing partner, was quoted.

The international HRD magazine approached Caroline Berube to comment on the recent opinion piece for the Straits Times in regards to the equal rights for all workers. Sim Lim Onn stated that that it’s “an ideal which will not, and should not, happen.” In Singapore, the most obvious perk which locals receive over foreigners are the CPF contributions. Additionally, legal regulations for locals and foreigners vary in many countries which can affect compensation. You can read the full article and Caroline’s comments here: http://www.hrdmag.com.sg/news/singapore-hr-directors-hit-back-at-nationalitybased-benefits-comments-211278.aspx

Caroline Berube was featured in the latest edition of the McGill Focus Law Magazine in the Alumni Corner. Caroline is the BCL’99, LLB’99 graduate from McGill in 1999 and is very active with the McGill Alumni network internationally acting as the President of the McGill Alumni in Singapore as well as being a member of the McGill Faculty of Law Advisory Board.  You can view the complete issue of the magazine here: http://publications.mcgill.ca/droit/files/2010/12/McGill_Focus_Law_Droit_2015.pdf

The international HRD magazine interviewed Caroline Berube about workers’ rights in Singapore in response to the controversial The Straits Times piece where Sim Lim Onn stated that equal rights for all workers is “an ideal which will not, and should not, happen”.  Due to varying regulations for local and foreign employees in many countries, including Singapore, compensation can vary between employees with foreigners receiving better benefits or vice versa the locals getting better compensated. Specifically, in Singapore, locals and PRs are entitled to CPF contributions while foreigners are not. You can read the full article here: http://www.hrdmag.com.sg/news/singapore-hr-directors-hit-back-at-nationalitybased-benefits-comments-211278.aspx

The international HRD magazine interviewed Caroline Berube about hiring, firing and terminating employees in Singapore, Hong Kong and China. In the fourth installment of the article in this series, HRD talked about sick leave in the region. For example, in Singapore sick leave depends on how long the employee has been working with the company and/ or hospitalization requirements; in Hong Kong, sick leave may depend on a medical certificate; and in China the sick leave entitlement is the most generous ranging from 3 months to 24 months. Employees are paid a reduced rate while on sick leave almost everywhere but the exact amount owed depends on local employment regulations.

You can find out more by reading the full article here: Sick Leave Requirements Across Asia, HRD, 14 Dec 2015