Decree 493/21, published in the Official Gazette on 6 August 2021, provides for a benefit of reduction of an employer's social security contributions for the case of new hiring of personnel who participate, or have participated, in Educational, Vocational Training or Labour Intermediation Programs of the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security.
The decree became effective on 1 September 2021, applying to labour relationships that begin during the following 12 months.
Employment law amendment cover minimum wage, working hours, protections for employees against wrongful disciplinary actions, new penalties for failure to adequately handle workplace harassment, new claim procedure and remedies for gender-discrimination and sexual-harassment claims, use of childcare leave during pregnancy and right to request working-hours adjustment during pregnancy.
These measures will go into effect later in 2021 and 2022.
The first two complaints using the RRLM were filed in May of this year. The American Federation of Labour and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) filed a complaint against Tridonex on 10 May 2021 and the United States Trade Representative filed a complaint against General Motors (GM) on 12 May 2021.
On 10 August 2021, the Tridonex case ended with an agreement between the Company and the US Government.
On 17 August 2021, workers at General Motors plant, after an initial vote in April marred by spoiled ballots, voted to scrap their collective contract under the supervision of independent observers to guarantee a fair vote.
On 25 August 2021, Sierra Leone ratified eight ILO Conventions and one Protocol, bringing to the total number of 44 of ratified instruments on forced labour, domestic workers, safety and health, migrant workers and labour administration.
These nine instruments will enter into force on 25 August 2022.
It was a significant move towards recognizing, promoting and implementing decent work for women and men in the country.
Talenteum is a Pan African platform designed to help companies source and employ remote-working teams, mainly in Africa.
It is the first social bridging platform matching and recruiting talent on behalf of its clients or customers, offering services that communities and partners may require.
It handles local employment compliance, payroll, human resource support, and benefits for international teams, enabling clients to productively hire and manage full-time personnel internationally.
On 29 July 2021, the U.S. Department of Labour announced a final rule to rescind the previous on, “Joint Employer Status under the Fair Labour Standards Act” (FLSA), that took effect in March 2020.
Rescinding that rule on assessing who can be jointly liable as an employer will increase the risk of liability when using independent contractors.
The final rule becomes effective on 28 September 2021.
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