Labour Standards

New York Senate Introduces Bill S09842 on Unemployment Benefits and Unsafe Working Conditions

In April 2026, the New York Senate introduced Bill S09842 to amend its unemployment insurance law so workers who leave or refuse work due to unsafe health or safety conditions maintained by their employer are not disqualified from benefits. If adopted, this would increase employers’ exposure to unemployment claims linked to non-compliant or unsuitable working conditions, strengthening incentives to identify and correct workplace safety issues promptly.

10 Apr 2026, 15:39assembly.state.ny.usUnited States

EU Gender-Neutral Job Evaluation Toolkit Launched by EIGE and Commission

EIGE and the European Commission have launched an EU-wide gender-neutral job evaluation and classification toolkit to help employers of all sizes design objective, bias-free job evaluation systems and support implementation of the EU Pay Transparency Directive.[^1^](https://eige.europa.eu/gender-mainstreaming/toolkits/gender-neutral-job-evaluation?language_content_entity=en#:~:text=This%20toolkit%20helps%20organisations%20across%20the%20EU%20carry%20out%20gender-neutral%20job%20evaluation%20and%20classification.) For HR, compliance and ESG teams, the toolkit provides an authoritative template for aligning job evaluation and pay structures with Directive (EU) 2023/970, reducing equal-pay litigation risk and shaping how regulators and social partners expect gender-neutral job evaluation to be carried out in practice.[^1^](https://eige.europa.eu/gender-mainstreaming/toolkits/gender-neutral-job-evaluation?language_content_entity=en#:~:text=Reduced%20legal%20risks%20and%20improved%20compliance%20with%20Directive%20(EU)%202023/970%20on%20pay%20transparency)

10 Apr 2026, 13:40eige.europa.euEuropean Union

UK Updates Gender Pay Gap Guidance With Voluntary Action Plans for Large Employers

The UK Government has updated its statutory gender pay gap guidance to introduce voluntary action plans for employers with 250+ staff and signal that these plans are expected to become mandatory from spring 2027, subject to legislation. Large UK employers should treat this as early notice to strengthen gender pay data analysis and structured action planning so they can comply smoothly if publishing action plans alongside annual gender pay gap reports becomes a legal duty.

10 Apr 2026, 12:37gov.ukUnited Kingdom

Brazil Amends CLT To Require Employers To Promote Vaccination And Cancer Prevention Campaigns

Brazil enacted Law No. 15.377/2026 in April 2026, requiring employers to promote vaccination and cancer awareness and inform staff of paid leave rights for preventive screenings. Businesses must update HR protocols and internal communications to ensure compliance with new labour law duties and manage associated leave entitlements.

9 Apr 2026, 14:15www2.camara.leg.brBrazil

US House Introduces Food and Nutrition Delivery Safety Act (H.R. 8046)

The US House introduced H.R. 8046 to establish national standards for online SNAP transactions and food delivery, focusing on cybersecurity, labor conditions, and food safety. Retailers face the loss of SNAP authorization unless they align their digital platforms and delivery supply chains with new federal safety and labor requirements.

6 Apr 2026, 19:02govinfo.govUnited States

Japan Ratifies ILO Occupational Safety And Health Convention (No. 155)

Japan has ratified ILO Convention No. 155, formally committing to international occupational safety and health standards as of April 2026. While immediate legal changes are not triggered, businesses should anticipate future alignment of national OSH regulations and enforcement practices with global benchmarks.

6 Apr 2026, 18:52kanpo.go.jpJapan

UK RPC Issues Green Opinion On Impact Assessment For Mandatory Ethnicity And Disability Pay Gap Reporting

The UK government is advancing plans for mandatory ethnicity and disability pay gap reporting for large employers, with implementation targeted for 2026 following a positive regulatory review. In-scope organizations should prepare to expand existing reporting frameworks and integrate specific corrective actions into their broader corporate equality and ESG strategies.

6 Apr 2026, 16:24assets.publishing.service.gov.ukUnited Kingdom

Netherlands Parliament Motion On Plan To Tackle Aggression In Shops Under ILO Violence And Harassment Convention Dossier

The Dutch Parliament has proposed a national plan to combat workplace aggression in the retail sector as part of the ILO C190 ratification process. Retailers should anticipate stricter enforcement of risk assessments (RI&E) and potential new safety standards, particularly for lone workers.

4 Apr 2026, 10:57zoek.officielebekendmakingen.nlNetherlands

Dutch Parliament Motion Requesting Modernisation of (Additional) RI&E Obligations

The Dutch House of Representatives has tabled a motion requesting government proposals by summer 2026 to simplify and modernize Risk Inventory and Evaluation (RI&E) obligations. Businesses should monitor for potential reductions in administrative burdens and changes to occupational health and safety compliance requirements in the Netherlands.

4 Apr 2026, 10:55zoek.officielebekendmakingen.nlNetherlands

Netherlands Parliament Motion To Align Labour Law With ILO Convention 190

The Dutch Parliament has proposed expanding employer liability for violence and harassment to align with ILO Convention 190, with draft legislation expected by late 2026. This shift signals a significant broadening of duty-of-care obligations to include work-related travel, digital communications, and social activities outside the traditional workplace.

4 Apr 2026, 10:55zoek.officielebekendmakingen.nlNetherlands

Iowa House Files Amendment S-5148 to SF 2426 on English Language Proficiency for Commercial Drivers

Iowa is advancing legislation to mandate English proficiency exams for commercial drivers by March 2027, introducing strict new penalties for non-compliant carriers. Logistics operators face increased liability and must integrate language screening into driver qualification files to mitigate risks of $10,000 fines and out-of-service orders.

3 Apr 2026, 18:30legis.iowa.govUnited States

Italy: Piedmont Region Approves Protocol to Protect Workers in Local Bus Service Tenders

The Piedmont Region has approved a new protocol establishing mandatory social clauses and employment protections for workers involved in local public road transport tenders as of March 2026. This move signals a shift toward stricter labor-related ESG requirements in public procurement, requiring transport operators to prioritize workforce stability and social dialogue to remain competitive in regional service bids.

2 Apr 2026, 16:41regione.piemonte.itItaly

Pennsylvania House Bill 2331 Proposes Injuries At Warehouse Distribution Centers Act

Pennsylvania introduced HB 2331 in March 2026, proposing mandatory state investigations and civil penalties for warehouses with injury rates 30% above the industry average. Distribution center operators should audit safety protocols and reporting accuracy now to mitigate the risk of state-led inspections and escalating financial penalties.

2 Apr 2026, 08:33legis.state.pa.usUnited States

Japan Cabinet Adopts Comprehensive Logistics Policy Outline for FY2026–FY2030

Japan has approved a five-year Comprehensive Logistics Policy Outline (FY2026–2030) to drive intensive reform through automation, standardization, and green transformation. Businesses should prepare for structural shifts in transport costs and operational standards as the government prioritizes labor efficiency, decarbonized supply chains, and digital logistics infrastructure.

1 Apr 2026, 19:50meti.go.jpJapan

Japan Consumer Affairs Agency Publishes Partial Amendment to Commentary on Whistleblower Protection Act Guidelines

Japan has finalized updated whistleblower guidelines and commentary, set to enter into force on December 1, 2026. Organizations must strengthen internal reporting channels, case-handler designations, and anti-retaliation measures to meet heightened governance and confidentiality expectations.

1 Apr 2026, 19:35caa.go.jpJapan

EU Council Adopts Position On EU–UK TCA Level Playing Field Panel Of Experts List

The EU has formalized its position on establishing a panel of experts to adjudicate disputes under the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement's level playing field provisions. This operationalizes the enforcement mechanism for environmental and labor standards, increasing the risk of state-to-state challenges regarding regulatory divergence.

1 Apr 2026, 14:33eur-lex.europa.euEuropean UnionUnited Kingdom

Portugal ACT Announces Portuguese ILO Code of Practice on Safety and Health in Forestry Work

Portugal's labor authority has promoted the revised ILO Code of Practice for forestry safety, establishing updated international benchmarks for the sector. While non-binding, businesses should adopt these guidelines to align with evolving inspectorate expectations for risk management and contractor oversight.

1 Apr 2026, 14:22ilo.orgPortugal

US Executive Order Addresses DEI Discrimination by Federal Contractors

A new US Executive Order mandates that federal contractors eliminate "racially discriminatory" DEI practices, with mandatory contract clauses taking effect by late April 2026. Linking compliance to the False Claims Act creates significant litigation and debarment risks, necessitating an urgent audit of corporate diversity programs and subcontractor oversight.

31 Mar 2026, 21:29whitehouse.govUnited States

Egypt Labour Ministry Issues Decree Banning Employment of Children Under 15 and Tightening Hazardous Work Rules

Egypt has issued Ministerial Decree No. 50/2026, banning child labour under 15 and imposing strict limits on working hours and hazardous tasks for minors. Companies operating in or sourcing from Egypt must immediately audit recruitment and supply chain practices to mitigate legal and ESG risks related to forced labour and occupational safety.

31 Mar 2026, 19:47english.ahram.org.egEgypt

Wisconsin Legislature Fails To Pass AB1203 On Net Zero 2050 And Carbon-Free Electricity Standards

Wisconsin Assembly Bill 1203, which proposed a 100% clean electricity mandate and economy-wide net-zero target by 2050, failed to pass the legislature in March 2026. While current obligations remain unchanged, the proposal signals a legislative push for aggressive decarbonization roadmaps and stringent labor requirements for utility-scale energy projects.

31 Mar 2026, 19:21docs.legis.wisconsin.govUnited States