Indonesia pushes closer cooperation with trade unions, China proposes an occupational injury protection system, and the social security deal between Japan and Austria takes effect — plus other key updates.
Lexology PRO looks at some of the most significant updates and guidance covering the Asia-Pacific region published on Lexology and externally for teams to stay up to date with the latest developments in employment and labour law.
This key update was produced with the assistance of generative AI.
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New legislation and rules
On 10 December 2025, the Australian Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) released new Payday Super rules, which will require employers to pay superannuation contributions at the same time as wages to employees, from 1 July 2026. The Australian Tax Office will enforce the new rules. The change replaces the current quarterly payment cycle and intends to improve employees’ retirement outcomes.
On 7 December 2025, Thailand’s amended Labour Protection Act 1998 took effect (Thai language only), extending maternity leave to 120 days and introducing 15 days of paid leave for caretakers of newborns with medical conditions. The measure also establishes 15 days of paid parental leave, expands protections to government service-contract workers and clarifies employers’ duties to submit annual working conditions reports.
On 5 December 2025, Safe Work Australia published amendments to the model Work Health and Safety (WHS) Act 2011 and WHS Regulations 2011. The updates broaden notification requirements to include violent incidents, work-related suicide and worker absences of over 15 days. The amendments clarify personal protective equipment obligations and revise crane licensing rules.
On 28 November 2025, Taiwan’s Ministry of Labour outlined flexible parental leave measures and simplified process for applying for childcare leave benefits and continued insurance coverage, effective 1 January 2026. Employees may take up to 30 days of childcare leave on a daily basis within the two-year leave period and continue receiving 80% wage-based benefits and insurance coverage for up to six months, per child.
Enforcement
On 9 December 2025, the Australian FWO signed an enforceable undertaking with Monash University to address underpayments totalling over AU$20.7 million (US$11.99 million) to more than 10,500 employees between 2014 and 2025. Under the agreement, the university will establish a tripartite reference group, commission an independent audit, maintain a complaint review mechanism and make an AU$350,000 (US$202,786) contrition payment.
On 5 December 2025, New Zealand’s Employment Relations Authority upheld an improvement notice against the former operator of Wendy’s restaurants, Lendco, for multiple breaches of the Holidays Act 2003. The company failed to pay employees for unworked public holidays, miscalculated overtime payments and underpaid annual leave. The ruling also rejected Lendco’s argument that employees had to volunteer for public holiday shifts before becoming entitled to paid public holidays.
On 1 December 2025, Hong Kong’s Kowloon City Magistrates' Courts fined a contractor HK$220,000 (US$28,276) for violating the Construction Sites (Safety) Regulations 1978. The case involved a fatal accident in which a worker fell from the 11th floor after the metal bracket securing his safety harness detached while he was dismantling a scaffold.
Regulatory and industry updates
On 8 December 2025, New Zealand’s Education and Workforce Committee reported back to Parliament following its examination of the Employment Relations Amendment Bill. The committee proposed reforms to the gateway test for contractors, including clearer treatment of platform-based arrangements and vetting rights for subcontractors. The report recommended raising the remuneration threshold for unjustified dismissal grievances to NZ$200,000 (US$115,878) in line with the Cabinet’s decision.
On 3 December 2025, the South Korean government reviewed the causes behind the rise in workplace fatalities and identified four priority areas, including strengthening worker participation, expanding inspections of small public-sector worksites and enhancing training for migrant workers. The ministries will implement targeted measures over the next few months.
On 2 December 2025, Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan approved amendments to the Occupational Safety and Health Act 2018, revising 25 provisions and adding six new articles. The reforms strengthen risk management in construction projects and introduce a framework to address workplace bullying. The amendments raise penalties for safety breaches and permit public disclosure of employer violations to enhance transparency and accountability.
On 2 December 2025, Indonesia’s Ministry of Manpower called for stronger collaboration with trade unions in 2026 to enhance worker protection and welfare. Key measures include expanding the shared use of government training centres, strengthening skills development programmes, improving the documentation and exchange of best practices, and increasing coordination to foster more robust industrial relations.
On 1 December 2025, the bilateral social security agreement between Japan and Austria came into effect after its signing in January 2024. The agreement clarifies which country’s social insurance rules apply to cross-border workers and requires posted workers to join the host country’s health insurance. It enables aggregation of pension periods and payment of pro-rated pensions across borders.
On 27 November 2025, the Chinese Central Committee proposed an occupational injury protection system for platform-based workers to address their heightened exposure to work-related risks, especially in occupations such as food delivery. The system will apply per-day and per-order coverage without requiring a formal employment relationship. The scheme will expand to all provinces in 2026, with other platform industries to be added from 2027.