APAC’s workforce is shifting, from return-to-office trends and rising foreign talent demand to legal risks from mass layoffs. Employers must stay ahead of evolving labour laws to remain compliant.
The demand for skilled foreign workers in the APAC region is intensifying, particularly in sectors such as technology, healthcare, and construction. Despite growing demand, immigration frameworks remain complex and administratively burdensome. While some jurisdictions have introduced new visa pathways to attract skilled workers, these often come with increased compliance obligations and increased financial costs. Learn more on Lexology PRO about hiring rules for foreign workers in APAC.
“The return-to-office momentum”: an APAC perspective
Across the APAC region, a renewed shift towards physical office attendance is gaining traction, driven by cultural expectations and business imperatives. While jurisdictions like China, India, and Japan offer conditional flexibility without statutory mandates, others, such as Australia and Singapore, have legislated frameworks supporting hybrid work models. Employers must balance employee well-being and operational efficiency, adopt regionally coherent strategies, and maintain transparent communication. Find out more on Lexology PRO about the return-to-office trend across APAC.
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