Global benefits insights - December 2023

Ireland

Introduces domestic violence leave

Effective from 27^th November 2023 paid domestic violence leave is included as part of the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023¹.

Employees are entitled to five days of employer-paid leave at 100% of salary in a 12-month consecutive period. The employee may use the leave when they, or a spouse or child has suffered or is suffering from domestic violence or a threat of violence. Leave is taken in minimum periods of single full days².

This leave allows the employee to engage in or assist with any of the following for themselves or the person they are supporting:

• Seek medical attention
• Obtain services from a victim services organization
• Obtain psychological or other professional counselling
• Relocate temporarily or permanently
• Obtain a court order
• Seek advice or assistance from a legal practitioner
• Seek assistance from the police
• Seek or obtain any other relevant services

Source: gov.ie¹ / dvatwork.ie²

United Arab Emirates

Introduces changes to End of Service Gratuity

Changes have been recently introduced to offer an alternative system for private sector employers to deliver the End of Service Gratuity (EOSG) to their expatriate employees in the UAE and its free zones.

The newly implemented government-sanctioned option involves funding a gratuity savings plan through monthly contributions to replace the lump-sum payment calculation under the existing EOSG system.

The new system would allow investment into Sharia-compliant funds.

The employers' contribution to the investment fund for full-time employees is as follows:

• 83 per cent of their employees’ monthly basic salary for less than 5 years service
• 33 per cent if the employee has longer than five years service

Contributions must be transferred into the investment fund within 15 days of the beginning of each calendar month. The employees are also free to top up the contribution in a lump sum or by instalments up to a total of 25% of their total annual salary.

Employers who opt into the new system must submit a request to the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE).

Source: u.ae

The Netherlands

Announces 2024 payroll deductions

From 1^st January 2024, thresholds and contributions limits for social security contributions will change.

The maximum social security threshold for contributions will increase from €66,956 to €71,628 per annum.

For deductions the following employer contributions will apply:

• Unemployment is 2.64% general unemployment or 0.68% for government unemployment,
• 54% for occupational disability
• 5% childcare allowance contribution
• 57% for healthcare which is down from 6.68% in 2023

Source: officielebekendmakingen.nl

United Kingdom

Reduces National Insurance contributions

As announced in the Autumn statement, the UK government is reducing the employee National Insurance contribution rate.

Th current National Insurance contributions (NICs) for employees earning over the minimum threshold is 12%. The government is cutting the main rate of Class 1 employee NICs from 12% to 10% with effect from 6^th January 2024.

Source: gov.uk

Minimum wage increases from 1st December 2023

Hungary

Effective from 1^st December 2023, there is an increased to the standard minimum wage of 15% to HUF 266,800 per month up from HUF 232,000 that was set previously. The increase for those with secondary education or vocational qualifications has increased by 10% to HUF 326,00 per month up from HUF 296,400.

Source: gov.hu

Minimum wage increases from 1st January 2024

Portugal

Effective 1^st January 2024, the minimum monthly wage is Increased to €820 per month which is up from the previously set €760.

Source: diariodarepublica.pt

Serbia

Effective 1^st January 2024, the minimum hourly wage is increasing from RSD 230 per hour to RSD 271 per hour.

Source: srbija.gov.rs

Reminders

Luxembourg

Increases the meal voucher limit from 1st January 2024.

The Netherlands

Increases tax-free mileage allowance from 1st January 2024.

Poland

Minimum wage will increase from 1st January 2024.

Romania

Introduces two new additional public holidays on 6th January and 7th January for the feast days of the Epiphany and Saint John the Baptist, respectively.

Singapore

Infant care and paternity leave will increase from 1st January 2024.

CPF rate will increase for workers aged 50-55 from 1st January 2024.

South Korea

Minimum wage will increase in January 2024.

Taiwan

Minimum salary will increase from 1st January 2024.