United Arab Emirates
Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) revises employment terms
Due to take effect from 1st April 2025, the ADGM introduces new regulations that affect companies within the finance district.
Some of the key amendments are:
- Employers are required to issue a written contract of employment within 1 month of the employee’s start date.
- The probationary period will be limited to 6 months, or half of the length of any contracts less than 6 months in length.
- Employees will be limited to working a maximum of 48 hours per week unless consent is provided in writing.
- Muslim employees will be entitled to a 25% reduction in their working hours during Ramadan. There will be no reduction on pay when taking the reduction.
- Employees will be entitled to carry forward 5 days of annual leave into the following year.
- 5 days of paid bereavement leave will be provided.
- The cap of 2 years’ salary that was applied to termination payments will be removed.
- Employers will be required to keep detailed employment records, ensure that anti-harassment policies are implemented, along with workplace safety.
- Upon termination of employment, employers will be required to cancel visas and work permits promptly.
- Pregnancy and maternity will be protected characteristics.
These regulations apply to companies based in the ADGM. Employers whose trade license was issued by the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) are exempt.
Source: sovereigngroup.com
Philippines
Introduces social security changes
Effective from 1st January 2025, the social security contributions and the relevant salary ceiling will change.
The combined contribution rate will increase to 15%. This means that employees will now contribute 5% instead of 4.5%, and employers will contribute 10% instead of the previous 9.5%.
The monthly salary credit (MSC) for contributions will also increase to PHP 35,000. The minimum monthly salary credit before contributions are applied will increase to PHP 5,000.
Source: sss.gov.ph
Finland
Introduces change to social insurance rates for 2025
Effective from January 2025, employee and employer health contributions via social insurance will be changing.
The employer’s contribution will increase from 1.16% to 1.87%. The employee’s contribution will increase from 0.51% to 1.06%, the daily allowance contribution will decrease from 1.01% to 0.84% and the minimum contribution on health care and daily care contributions will increase from 1.52% to 1.9% when income exceeds EUR 16,862.
For income below EUR 16,862, the contribution will increase from 0.51% to 1.06%.
Source: vero.fi
Luxembourg
Introduces social security contribution basis change for 2025
Effective from January 2025, the minimum and maximum salaries used to calculate social security contributions will change.
The minimum salary contribution base will be EUR 2,637.79 (up from EUR 2,570.93 in 2024.
The maximum salary contributions will be payable on will be EUR 13,188.96, up from EUR 12,854.64 in 2024.
Source: ccss.public.lu
Poland
Introduces an additional public holiday
Effective from February 2025, an additional public holiday will be added to the current dates offered.
From 2025, Christmas Eve will now be recognised as a public holiday in Poland.
Source: polandinsight.com
Minimum wage increases from January 2025
Andorra
Effective from 1st January, the minimum hourly wage payable will increase by 5.3% to EUR 8.35. This means that the monthly minimum wage will be EUR 1,447.33, based on a 40-hour working week.
Source: bopa.ad
Slovenia
Effective from 1st January, the monthly minimum wage will increase to EUR 1,277.72. This is in line with last year’s inflation and reflects an increase from EUR 1,253.90.
Source: gov.si
Minimum wage increases from March 2025
South Africa
Effective from 1st March 2025, the ordinary hourly wage will increase from ZAR 27.58 to ZAR 28.79. This is a 4.2% increase.
Source: labour.gov.za
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