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In Employment

Singapore: The Tripartite Committee on Workplace Fairness – interim report

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The Tripartite Committee on Workplace Fairness has released its interim report on 13 February 2023 with its 20 recommendations for the proposed Workplace Fairness Legislation.
In 2021, the Singapore government announced that it will be taking steps to enshrine the Tripartite Guidelines on Fair Employment Practices (TGFEP) in law. The TGFEP, which is non-legally binding, sets out principles of workplace fairness and best practices for employers. While the TGFEP has improved standards of workplace fairness in Singapore, it does not have legal force. Enshrining the TGFEP in law is a significant step towards strengthening Singapore’s stand against workplace discrimination.

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Japan: New Cookie Regulations start June 2023

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Japan’s amended regulations on cookie information will start on 16 June 2023. The amended regulations now capture an even wider range of businesses, such as SNS platforms, various content sharing services, and certain online search tool businesses. It is important to consider whether your business is within the scope of the amended regulations and to take appropriate measures to ensure compliance, such as updating cookie policies or adding appropriate pop-up notices.

In Employment

Singapore: Ministry of Manpower extends Heightened Safety Period, increases penalties

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Due to workplace safety and health concerns arising from the lack of improvement in rates of workplace fatalities and a rise in major injuries in certain sectors, the Ministry of Manpower has announced the following:
• A three-month extension to the Heightened Safety Period (HSP) to 31 May 2023. The HSP, which applies across all industries, was due to end on 28 February 2023
• Additional measures adopting the Recommendations by International Advisory Panel to Strengthen Workplace Safety & Health on 19 January 2023

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Vietnam: 20th session of the National Assembly Standing Committee

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At the 20th working session, which took place from 13 February 2023 – 15 February 2023, the National Assembly Standing Committee of Vietnam considered and decided on a number of important issues, including: the draft Law on Protection of Consumer Rights, the draft Law on Electronic Transactions and the draft Decree on Personal Data Protection.

In Environment

Singapore: Proposed Revisions to the Cleaning Business Licence Regulatory Framework

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The Environmental Public Health Amendment Bill, introduced in Parliament on 9 January 2023, has proposed revisions to the cleaning business license regulatory framework in a bid to drive capabilities and raise public health standards of cleaning businesses. The existing framework, which was introduced in September 2014, only provides for one type of cleaning business license. However, the revised framework, which is intended to come into force from 1 January 2024, will provide for three different classes of cleaning business licenses.

In Environment

Singapore: Passing of Electric Vehicles Charging Act 2022

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The Electric Vehicles Charging Act 2022 that seeks to regulate the provision of safe and reliable charging of Electric Vehicles and the expansion of the EV charging infrastructure in Singapore was passed by Parliament in January 2023. The Act is expected to take effect in the second half of 2023. Notably, the Act sets out a licensing regime for EV charging operators and also prescribes certification requirements that all EV chargers would have to meet before the chargers can be installed and used in Singapore.

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In Sanctions

Australia: Review of Australia’s sanction framework

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The Department of Foreign Affairs, led by the Australian Sanctions Office, is undertaking a review of Australia’s Autonomous Sanctions Framework, ahead of the expiry on 1 April 2024 of the Regulations. The Review will assess whether the Framework remains fit for purpose. The Review will be informed by responses to an Issues Paper and by consultations with key stakeholders. The closing date for submissions is 26 February 2023, with the Review to be completed by 30 June 2023.

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Malaysia: New legal requirements under the General Code of Practice of Personal Data Protection

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The General Code of Practice of Personal Data Protection introduces new legal requirements to be complied with by data users caught within its ambit. It also seeks to provide best practice recommendations with respect to the implementation of principles under the Personal Data Protection Act 2010 and its subsidiary legislation.
Some of the new legal requirements include providing additional mandatory information in a personal data protection notice, complying with any data subjects’ written request not to process their personal data for direct marketing within reasonable time, maintaining a personal data system, and establishing a PDPA compliance framework.

In Employment

Singapore: Additional workplace sensitivity guidelines for employers planning non-work related events

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Following the concerns raised by some politicians that the repeal of section 377A of the Penal Code (which criminalizes consensual homosexual acts in private between male adults) may result in employees being pressured to attend their employers’ inclusion and diversity events, the Ministry of Manpower and its tripartite partners the Singapore National Employers Federation and the National Trades Union Congress have added new guidelines to the Tripartite Guidelines on Fair Employment Practices.

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