Regulatory updates
for Global Employers

The Omani Ministry of Labour has recently issued Ministerial Decision No. 317/2025, requiring private sector employers to grant annual salary increases to Omani employees based on performance ratings. Increases range from 5% for “Excellent” ratings to 2% for “Acceptable,” with no increment for “Weak” ratings, and employees must complete six months of service to qualify.

Non-compliance may result in penalties of OMR 50 per affected employee, with implementation beginning from 1 January 2026.

The Spanish government and major trade unions have reached an agreement to expand paid leave entitlements related to bereavement and serious family care situations. The proposal would increase paid bereavement leave to ten days and introduce two new leave categories: up to 15 days to care for a relative receiving palliative care and one day to accompany a person undergoing euthanasia. The agreement has not been supported by employers’ associations and will next be drafted into a bill for parliamentary consideration, where approval is not guaranteed.

The U.S. Department of State has expanded its online presence review requirements for certain nonimmigrant visa categories. From December 15, 2025, applicants for H-1B and H-4 visas, as well as F, M, and J visas, must set their social media profiles to public to allow review as part of the visa screening process. The expanded review is intended to support national security and eligibility assessments and may result in longer visa processing times.

Thailand has published a ministerial regulation increasing the wage ceiling used to calculate Social Security Fund contributions, with the changes taking effect from 1 January 2026. The regulation introduces a phased increase to the maximum wage base, starting at THB 17,500 per month for 2026–2028 and rising to THB 23,000 from 2032 onward. The updated wage ceilings are designed to enhance the level of social security benefits available to insured employees.

Mexico’s National Minimum Wage Commission (CONASAMI) has confirmed the minimum wage rates that will apply from January 1, 2026. The General Minimum Wage will increase by 13% to MXN 315.04 per day, while the minimum wage in the Northern Border Free Zone will increase by 5% to MXN 440.87 per day. The official resolution also confirms updated minimum wages for professions, trades, and special jobs, as published in the Diario Oficial de la Federación.

The Government of Mexico has introduced a bill to amend the Federal Labor Law and Constitution to progressively reduce the standard workweek from 48 to 40 hours, with reductions expected to commence in 2027 and be fully realised by 2030 under a phased schedule. The proposal also includes changes related to overtime limits and restrictions on overtime for minors, and employers will have time to adjust operations as the legislative process advances. This change reflects broader labour policy efforts aimed at work-life balance and modernising working time standards.

Ireland’s Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment published a roadmap on 2 December 2025 setting out phased increases to salary thresholds for employment permits. Updated minimum remuneration levels will apply from 1 March 2026, with further adjustments planned through to 2030, including reduced thresholds for recent graduates and annual indexation for certain permit types. The roadmap is intended to align permit thresholds with market earnings while supporting workforce planning over the medium term.

The UK government has confirmed new minimum wage rates that will take effect from April 2026, including a National Living Wage of £12.71 per hour for workers aged 21 and over. Updated rates also apply to younger workers and apprentices, with increases to £10.85 and £8.00 per hour. These changes reflect the government’s 2026 wage uplift based on Low Pay Commission recommendations.

India has implemented four updated labour codes that replace 29 previous laws and introduce a unified framework for wages, social security, industrial relations, and workplace safety. The reforms include guaranteed minimum wages, mandatory appointment letters, expanded social security, updated overtime rules, and strengthened protections for women and workers in hazardous sectors.

The changes also streamline compliance through simplified registration and licensing processes.

The Bulgarian Council of Ministers designated 31 December 2025 and 2 January 2026 as additional public (non-working) holidays. This measure is exceptional and applies only for this period, introduced to support operational and administrative preparations related to Bulgaria’s adoption of the euro on 1 January 2026. These dates are not part of Bulgaria’s standard annual public holiday calendar and are not expected to repeat in future years.

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