Global mobility was overwhelmingly the most popular theme among the most-read global HR articles on SHRM Online in 2023. Pay transparency was another common theme among SHRM's most-visited global articles. Talent acquisition in India and an overview of when U.S. laws apply abroad rounded out the top articles. Here's a summary of these stories.
New Temporary Work Visa Is Available in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia launched a new Temporary Work Visa designed to streamline and expedite the process of bringing short-term workers into the country, while also broadening which types of workers are eligible for the visa.
Canada Quickly Reaches Work Permit Cap for H-1B Visa Holders
Canadian companies could tap into a larger pool of talented tech candidates after H-1B visa holders in the U.S. briefly had the opportunity to apply for an open work permit in Canada. This initiative by the Canadian government, which opened the morning of July 16, allowed 10,000 applicants to work for any company anywhere in Canada for three years, said Rakhmad Sobirov, an attorney with Sobirovs Law Firm in Toronto. The Canadian government received the maximum 10,000 applications by midnight on July 17.
UAE: New End-of-Service Benefits Scheme Approved
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Cabinet approved a scheme for the establishment of savings and investment funds for employees primarily in the private sector, including free zones. This scheme is an alternative to the current system of payment of end-of-service benefits (gratuity) to an employee at the end of employment.
Spain's Highly Qualified Work Permit Changes
In 2009, the European Union adopted a directive that established the EU Blue Card, a highly qualified work permit recognized throughout the EU that was designed to attract foreign workers and give member states flexibility with implementation. While there have been follow-up directives in the years since, the Blue Card and local highly qualified work permits have coexisted throughout EU countries, including Spain, for years. Recent changes to the Spanish Highly Qualified Work Permit have made it more widely available, while new requirements for the Blue Card have made it easier to use.
British Columbia Rolls Out Pay Transparency Requirements
The government of British Columbia approved the Pay Transparency Act in May to improve pay equity and address systemic discrimination that Indigenous women, women of color, immigrant women, women with disabilities and nonbinary people face in the workplace.
EU Parliament and Council Agree on Pay Transparency Rules
The European Parliament and Council reached an agreement on pay transparency measures at the end of 2022, and interest in them continued into 2023. Under the rules, employers will be required to provide more transparency and ensure they are adopting equal pay principles between male and female workers.
India's Job Market Settles Down
With several global technology companies laying off staff in India and beyond, the job market may appear unsteady. But it's not all doom and gloom, given that India's economy is growing.
When US Employment Laws Apply Abroad and When They Don't
Sometimes U.S. employment laws apply to U.S. citizens who are working abroad, and sometimes they don't. HR should know when these laws apply "extraterritorially," as well as when U.S. law and non-U.S. law are at odds.
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