Our Tokyo Trail series looks at key issues surrounding the 2020 Olympics, which are scheduled for late July.The Olympics has, in the past, provided an informal setting for national leaders to meet, shake hands in front of the cameras, take in an event and then sit down to discuss issues of mutual concern. For South Korea and Japan, there were hopes as recently as this month that the Tokyo Games might be used to bridge some of the differences between the East Asian neighbours.But with time…
When is a contractor not a contractor?
Not everyone who works is an ’employee’.
Writing effective references
From time to time, organisations are asked to give references for current or former employees, or they request references from others to find out more about prospective employees.
When volunteers and interns may acquire employment rights
There is no legal definition of a ‘volunteer’ or ‘intern’ and no specific legislation covering employer-volunteer relationships.
The Equality Act: issues for employers
Here are some of the things you need to know about the prohibitions against discrimination which came into effect with the Equality Act 2010.
Singapore’s majority-Chinese population should do more to address racism: minister
Singapore’s majority-Chinese population should do more to address racism-related grievances aired by members of ethnic minority groups, a minister has said in the government’s first major response to the country’s ongoing debate on racism, adding that the authorities are ready to update policies to strengthen social harmony.The comments by finance minister Lawrence Wong, seen as a potential successor to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, follow weeks of debate – mostly online – over recent…
Benigno Aquino’s lost liberal ‘yellow’ legacy in the Philippines
The public response to the death of former Philippine president Benigno “Noynoy” S. Aquino III on Thursday has so far been decidedly mixed. While some social media influencers continued bashing him, other supportive posts showed yellow ribbons hung in largely high-end neighbourhoods. This popular music-inspired symbol (“Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree”) refers to the welcome planned by supporters for his father, Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jnr, the leading opponent of the dictatorship of…
US approves possible sale of fighter jets and missiles to Philippines, says Pentagon
The US State Department has approved the potential sale of F-16 fighter jets, as well as Sidewinder and Harpoon missiles, to the Philippines in three separate deals with a combined value of more than US$2.5 billion, the Pentagon said on Thursday.The Philippines is looking for a new multi-role fighter jet and is evaluating the F-16 and the SAAB Abs Gripen.The US announcement comes as the United States seeks to renew an agreement with Manila governing the US troop presence in the country, which…
Report outlines shape of post-Brexit regulatory landscape in the UK
A group tasked with setting out the UK’s post-Brexit regulatory priorities has released its recommendations, proposing a number of reforms focused on innovation, growth and inward investment.
Singapore preparing to live with endemic Covid-19 as residents grow ‘battle weary’ of pandemic, ministers say
Singapore is drawing up a blueprint for Covid-19 becoming endemic in a plan that may include “multi-year” vaccine booster shots such as those given for the flu virus, a shift away from monitoring daily cases and a return of mass gatherings like the country’s annual National Day Parade, officials said on Thursday.In an op-ed for the The Straits Times, the three ministers who co-head the government’s coronavirus task force said they were sketching out the plan as residents increasingly became …