Online event: Agile Scenario Planning – Opportunities For Investment & Expansion In Europe
An online event organized by CT Executive Search and Nordic Minds
Join us on Wednesday, 30 September as we take a look at the current opportunities for investment, expansion, and recruitment in Europe.
Date: 30 September 2020
Time: 9:30 - 11:00 am CET (GMT+2)
10:30 am – 12:00 noon GMT+3
Participation: Free of charge
Speakers:
Tadzio Schilling, Chief Executive Officer, Association of European Businesses (AEB)
Edward Blomstedt, Chief Executive Officer, AirFaas
Christian Tegethoff, Managing Director, CT Executive Search
Marcus Honkanen, Managing Partner, Nordic Minds
The event programme is available online.
Please register here for the event.
New chapter in the way we work - the future of the home office
Due to the situation caused by the coronavirus many companies have introduced the home office to enable working from home.
Because of the epidemiological situation, in March 2020 working from home – the home office – became daily routine in the workplace. However, its terms and rules are not regulated by the applicable Hungarian Labour Code. During the coronavirus state of emergency, the home office was introduced for many workplaces. Moreover, current trends show that companies want to take permanent advantage of the flexibility of working from home.
The Guide to Employment Permits for Foreign Workers in Indonesia
- There are two main legal options for foreign investors in setting up in Indonesia: establishing a foreign investment company (PT PMA) or a representative office (RO).
- Opening an RO is the fastest and simplest way of establishing a legal entity in the country, although ROs are not allowed to engage in any commercial activities.
- Establishing a PT PMA will enable investors to access Special financial and non-financial incentives, particularly in pioneer industries.
- Investors should assess their specific needs carefully before deciding which corporate structure to operate from.
Despite improvements in the Ease of Doing Business report, Indonesia continues to be challenging for foreign investors.
Should work in the same position for the same employer pay the same salary, regardless of whether the employee lives and works in Prague, in a large regional city, or in a tiny backwater?
In a recent decision, the Czech Supreme Court concluded that the variety of socioeconomic conditions across the various regions of the Czech Republic must not have any bearing on employers’ pay scales.
The application and interpretation of Czech Labor Law are relatively settled disciplines, but a recent Supreme Court decision has now caused some uproar. Judgment 21 Cdo 3955/2018 of 20 July 2020 concerns the issue of fair compensation and has solid chances of becoming a regular nightmare for quite a few employers.
Guide to Employment Permits in Malaysia for Foreign Workers
- There are three types of employment permits foreign workers can apply for in Malaysia. These are the employment pass, temporary employment pass, and the professional visit pass.
- The type of work permit issued by the government depends on the skill of the foreign applicant, as well as the remaining quota for that sector.
- It is the duty of the Malaysian company to apply for the work permit on behalf of the foreign applicant.
The Malaysian government generally issues three different types of work permits...
The Russian labour market: rapid recovery or long depression?
Christian Tegethoff, Managing Director, CT Executive Search
Corona, corona - the endless topic had major consequences for the Russian labour market and the purchasing power of the Russian population. Russia reacted relatively late to the pandemic, but then imposed a hard lockdown (at least in the capital). The rather bumpy introduction of the restrictions and many regional special regulations have caused some confusion among companies and employees.
How have the lockdown, travel restrictions, and the global economic slump concretely affected the Russian labour market? These questions are not easy to answer because the official figures available only partly reflect the actual situation.
The official unemployment rate in June was 6.1 percent. Although this meant that an increase was fixed (unemployment rate at the end of 2019 amounted to 4.6 percent), according to many market observers, actual unemployment is likely to be significantly higher.
PRESS RELEASE: FOCUS ON ROMANIA - ECONOMY, INVESTMENT CLIMATE AND THE LABOUR MARKET
How did Romania react to the pandemic? What government measures were taken? And what is the outlook for the future in terms of economic development and the labour market?
These are the questions that were tackled head on at the online event on the 26 of August, 2020. The event was held by CT Executive Search, Elite Searchers and STALFORT Legal. Tax. Audit. and supported by AHK Romania.
Christian Tegethoff, Managing Director, CT Executive Search talked about executive recruitment both at the local and expatriate levels. In his presentation, he spoke about the current and future demand for top level executives, as well as management styles and recruitment preferences in Romania.
Singapore Increases Qualifying Salaries for Foreign Employees
- Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower has increased the minimum qualifying salaries needed for foreign workers to receive the Employment Pass (EP) and S Pass permits.
- The ministry has also increased the qualifying salary for foreign workers in the financial sector – the first time the ministry has set a sector-specific qualifying salary.
- These measures were initiated to encourage businesses to employ local workers.
- Businesses must advertise new job positions on the MyCareersFuture.sg website for a period of 28 days to make them known to local job seekers.
On August 27, 2020, Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower (MoM) has increased the minimum qualifying salaries for foreign workers to receive the Employment Pass (EP) and S Pass work permits.
Companies are resuming their expansion plans
Semyon Cherkasov, Director, CT Executive Search
How did the corona-induced state regulations affect your clients’ businesses in Russia? Which operational adjustments were common?
Most manufacturing companies had to face similar issues all around Russia. They have to follow the rules of Rospotrebnadzor (Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing) and other organizations regarding the security restrictions.
Practically all companies shifted their organization to remote work conditions. For most businesses, this called for significant efforts, especially with regards to IT and other critical infrastructure. The employees had to quickly adapt to a new way of collaboration, management and staff alike.
That was tough!
Jens Palmen, Managing Director, Schattdecor Russia
How did the state and government’s measures to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus affect Schattdecor‘s business operations in Russia?
The restrictions have of course had a massive impact on Schattdecor. The plants had to be closed, and home office workplaces had to be set up for all office workers. In total, our production stood still for about two weeks.
Unfortunately, despite all our efforts, we did not manage to be classified as a systemically important company – like all of our competitors and 99% of the furniture industry. Only a good number of our wood-based material customers were recognized as systemically relevant and were able to continue production, provided that this made sense at all in view of the demand situation.
What are India’s Latest Guidelines on International Travel?
- New rules for passengers traveling to India in effect from August 8.
- Transport air bubbles currently in place with US, France, Germany, UK, UAE, and Qatar; agreement with Maldives has come into effect.
- Suspension of Indian international air flight operations extended till August 31, 2020.
- As of August 18, India is negotiating with 13 more countries to establish air travel arrangements.
- Foreign nationals holding J-1 and J-1X visas are now permitted to enter India.
- New standard operating protocol announced August 22 for non-scheduled commercial flights under the repatriation scheme, Vande Bharat Mission, and Air Transport Bubble Agreements.
Vietnam’s Entry Procedures for Foreign Employees amid the Pandemic
- Vietnam suspended the entry of all foreign visitors from March 22 and subsequently suspended all international flights.
- However, it has been allowing diplomats, officials, foreign investors, experts, skilled workers, and students to enter the country with special entry permits.
- All travelers, however, will be subject to a 14-day quarantine at a centralized government facility or a designated hotel.
- We recommend employers use a reputable professional firm to deal with the intricacies and administrative procedures of securing entry of their foreign employees.
Vietnam’s government, however, has allowed diplomats, officials, business experts, managers, highly skilled workers, and students to come to Vietnam provided they meet the necessary requirements.
The future of Africa’s independent automotive aftermarkets
africon recently presented at Messe Frankfurt Middle East: Automechanika Dubai’s webinar titled “Africa’s independent aftermarket (IAM) – a look at the current situation and future potential”.
In a webinar poll, they asked the 237 attendees from 65 countries if the African automotive aftermarkets will play an important role for their business in a post-COVID future. In total, more than 70% of the participants “strongly agreed” or “agreed”.
Beijing Tightens Social Insurance Filing Services by Third-Party HR Agency
- Beijing has released a new regulation restricting third-party HR agencies from filing social insurance in Beijing for employees of non-Beijing resident companies.
- Companies that have employees based in Beijing but do not have a registered entity or branch in the capital and entrust a third-party agency to file social security for their Beijing-based staff need to find alternative solutions as soon as possible before the end of the grace period granted by the government – in late September.
- Companies must take the regulation seriously to avoid incompliance and the adverse consequences so caused, such as being blacklisted, fined by the government, or being sued by affected employees, etc.
Effective from July 5, 2020, all labor dispatch companies and HR service companies (hereafter referred to as ‘HR agencies’) registered in Beijing are required to report part of the employees’ labor contract information when registering new employees with the Beijing Social Security Bureau for the administration of social insurance, according to the Notice Concerning Several Issues on Participation of Labor Dispatch companies and HR Service Companies in Social Insurance Scheme issued by the Beijing Social Security Fund Management Center on June 30, 2020.
Press Release: Focus on Africa - A Look At Business Opportunities, Growing Markets And How To Find The Right Talent
On 30 July, 2020 CT Executive Search and africon GmbH held a joint online event dedicated to doing business in Africa.
Marc Zander, Managing Partner, and CEO, africon GmbH spoke about the current business opportunities and the overall investment climate in view of the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic.
Christian Tegethoff, Managing Director, CT Executive Search talked about recruiting the right talent in Africa. Mr. Tegethoff addressed important issues such as:
- Africa’s distinct labour markets.
- How European companies fill their executive roles.
Restarting business in Russia
MIGRATION LAW At the present time, foreigners are only able to enter the country from abroad in particular cases (for example, if they have residence). Highly qualified specialists may enter if, at the employer’s request, they were entered on the list of the corresponding ministry. It’s still not at all easy to enter the country, but the first flights are already underway.
An important exception is what is known as an “installation visa”. Foreigners may enter the country, regardless of the industrial sector, in order to configure or provide technical servicing of equipment, etc. To so do, an application must be submitted to the corresponding ministry, following a complex procedure. A foreign specialist may enter the country on a visa received from a Russian consulate abroad.
May an employee refuse to come back to the office after working from home?
Poland: Employees refuse to come back to the office after working from home. What can employers do?
The anti-COVID-law in Poland allows employers to send employees home, temporarily working from home during the epidemic, even if employees have no teleworking agreement in place. Many firms used this opportunity to ensure burden-free operation during the epidemic. But after most of the COVID restrictions were already lifted, many employees still decline invitations to come back to the office.
Focus on Africa: Filling in Key Positions in Africa
Christian Tegethoff, Managing Director, CT Executive Search
Topics covered include:
- HR Markets in Sub-Saharan Africa.
- Characteristics of most African HR markets.
- Executive Search in Africa.
- Talent search: Expat, Local, or Repatriate?
- How to enter the African markets.
Lithuanian Supreme Court rules on dismissal by employer
For the first time since the introduction of Article 59 of the Labour Code, the Supreme Court is dealing with this type of dismissal.
Termination of an employment contract at the employer's initiative under Article 59 of the Labour Code (DK) – one of the grounds for dismissal of an employee provided for by the DK ‒ was introduced in 2017 when a new DK entered into force.
So far, cases involving workers made redundant on this basis have only been heard in the lower courts. Now, for the first time, the Supreme Court, Lithuania’s highest instance, has dealt with the conditions for this type of employment contract termination at the initiative of the employer.
Focus on Africa – A look at business opportunities, growing markets and how to find the right talent
Marc-Peter Zander, CEO & Partner, africon GmbH
Issues covered include:
- How to approach African markets.
- Market entry during COVID-19
- How to become active or grow in Africa.
- How to find your target market.
- Is there need for a cultural adaptation to business?
Capital Investment is Moderate
Dr. Reinhard Kohleick, Managing Director, Quadriga Capital Russia
Did the companies you worked with over the years resort to external advice? What experiences have you had?
Yes, we have resorted to external expertise on various occasions – especially if something did not work out or new topics were approached.
Working with an external consultant is always recommended if the required knowledge is not available in-house. When it comes to the perception of deficits, there are definitely differences between Russian and German companies.
Market Optimization With Freelance Experts
Christian Tegethoff, Managing Director, CT Executive Search
Is there a demand for our products in India, Russia or Central Asia? How big is the local market, what certifications are necessary, how is the competition structured? What are the needs of local customers? Which sales model should be chosen: export via importers, a representative office for setting up and maintaining a dealer network or direct sales through a local subsidiary? How can maintenance and service for technical products be ensured?
When entering new markets, many questions arise for companies - the decisions made in the beginning can have long-term consequences.
When entering the market, it is important to consider which financial and organizational investments can be expected to generate which income. Many medium-sized companies choose to minimize risk and thus choose a step-by-step approach: first sales through importers, then the establishment of a representative office, and finally opening a subsidiary in the target country.
Online Event: Focus on Africa - A look at business opportunities, growing markets and how to find the right talent
A joint event organised by CT Executive Search and africon GmbH
Date: Thursday, 30 July, 2020
Time: 2pm (14:00) CET
Speakers and topics:
Christian Tegethoff, Managing Director, CT Executive Search - Filling key positions in Africa.
- Africa: a diverse continent with distinct labour markets.
- Expat or local: How do European companies fill their executive roles?
- Executive search in and for Africa.
- Current development on selected HR markets.
Marc Zander, Managing Partner and CEO, africon GmbH – Business opportunities in Africa.
Registration: Register here for the event. Once registration is complete, a link to join the conference will be sent to the email address included in the registration form.
India Extends Key Tax Deadlines Again for Businesses in 2020 due to COVID-19
Deadline for filing FY 2019-20 income tax return, issuing Form 16
The government announced in May that the deadline for filing income tax returns (ITR) for the financial year (FY) 2019-20 would be pushed from July 31, 2020 and October 31, 2020 to November 30, 2020.
For employers, the deadline to issue Form 16 (the TDS certificate for salaried employees) has been extended to August 15, 2020. The government had previously extended this deadline (via an ordinance issued on March 31) from June 15, 2020 to June 30, 2020.
Business Recovery in ASEAN After COVID-19 – Latest Issue of ASEAN Briefing Magazine
In this issue:
- Government Measures to Counter COVID-19 Impact in ASEAN
- Legal Provisions to Manage HR and Employment Concerns
- New Investment Opportunities in ASEAN
In this issue of the ASEAN Briefing magazine, we begin by introducing the different incentives and measures issued by ASEAN’s largest economies from March to June 2020 to mitigate the economic impact of the virus. We then analyze the HR and employment issues faced by businesses during the pandemic. Finally, we focus on the investment opportunities in ASEAN in the post COVID-19 era.
