Costa Rica
Implements paid Bereavement Leave
Published during December 2024, Law 10589 - Law to Create Paid Bereavement Leave for Workers to Protect the Right to Mourn introduces paid leave for family members.
Employees are now entitled to 3 days of paid leave for the death of parents, spouses, children, parents-in-law, sons-in-law and daughters-in-law.
One day of paid leave is provided following the death of second-degree relatives: grandparents, siblings, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law and grandchildren.
For third-degree relatives such as great-grandparents, great-grandchildren, uncles and aunts (by blood or marriage) and nephews and nieces (by blood or marriage), one day’s paid leave also applies.
This does not replace any higher bereavement leave entitlement provided by the collective agreement, contracts of employment or internal company policies.
Source: central-law.com
France
Increases business meal expense limits
Effective from February 2025, meal expenses for business trips and meals at home have been increased.
For meals at home, the expense deduction limit is €5.45. For those on business trips, the expense deduction limit has been increased to €21.10.
Source: bofip.impots.gouv.fr
Ireland
Introduces the right to postpone maternity leave
The Maternity Protection, Employment Equality and Preservation of Certain Records Bill 2024 that came into effect in November last year allows employees to postpone maternity leave when diagnosed with a serious illness.
Leave can be postponed for between 5 and 25 weeks and does not impact any other leave entitlement, such as parental and/or any unpaid maternity leave when the employee is suffering from a serious illness during their maternity leave period.
A certificate from the employee’s doctor confirming the serious illness will be required by the employer. A serious illness can be classed as a physical or mental illness. Leave can be postponed once more, if needed.
Source: irishlegal.com
Rwanda
Increases social security contributions
Effective from January 2025, the pension contributions into Rwandan Social Security Board (RSSB) have increased.
The total contribution has increased to 12%, up from the previous 6%, and will be split 50/50 between the employee and employer.
A further increase up to 14% is planned for 2027 and the total contribution will increase up to 30% by 2030, with staggered increases planned.
Source: visionsafrica.com
Minimum wage increases from January 2025
Chile
Minimum wages have been revised in Chile, and backdated to 1st January 2025:
- For those aged above 18-years-of-age but under 65-years-of-age, the minimum wage has increased from CLP 500,000.00 per month to CLP 510,500.00 per month.
- For those aged under 18 and over 65-years-of-age, the minimum wage has increased from CLP 372,989.00 per month to CLP 382,875.00 per month.
Source: wageindicator.org
Minimum wage increases from February 2025
Spain
Announced in the Royal Decree-Law No. 87/2025 on the 11th February, the monthly minimum wage is increasing to EUR 1,184 per month when over 14 payments, or EUR 1,381.33 when over 12 monthly payments. This has been backdated to 1st January 2025.
Source: boe.es
Minimum wage increases from March 2025
Egypt
Effective from 1st March 2025, the monthly minimum wage has increased from EGP 6,000 to EGP 7,000. For part-time employees, the hourly minimum wage will be EGP 28.00.
Source: zawya.com
Minimum wage increases from May 2025
Hong Kong
Effective from 1st May 2025, the hourly minimum wage is increasing to HKD 42.10, up from HKD 40.00 per hour.
Source: news.gov.hk
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