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 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.

Latvia has confirmed an increase to the national minimum monthly wage, raising it from EUR 740 to EUR 780 starting 1 January 2026. The update was issued through Cabinet Regulation No. 680 and adjusts the statutory wage rate for full-time employees. The measure was adopted on 19 November 2025 and officially published on 21 November 2025.

Jersey has proposed raising the hourly minimum wage from £13.00 to £13.59 starting 1 April 2026. The government also confirmed that the trainee minimum wage rate of £10.50 per hour will remain in place for 2026. The proposal was published through the Government of Jersey’s official portal.

California has enacted several employment laws taking effect in 2026, including a statewide minimum wage increase to USD16.90 per hour from January 1, expanded personnel record access rights, and new notice obligations under the Workplace Know Your Rights Act beginning February 1.

Additional updates clarify Equal Pay Act standards, strengthen wage theft enforcement, and modify pay data reporting rules. These changes form part of California’s 2026 legislative package impacting wage, recordkeeping, and reporting requirements.

Belarus has adopted Resolution No. 612, which raises the national monthly minimum wage to 858 BYN beginning 1 January 2026. This replaces the previous 2025 minimum wage of 726 BYN, reflecting an 18.2% increase - an adjustment that aligns with rising inflation and cost-of-living pressures in the country. The update was published through official government channels in mid-November 2025.

British Columbia announced new short-term sick leave rules on 12 November 2025, removing medical note requirements for the first two absences of five days or less each year. The province also introduced Bill 30 on 20 October 2025, proposing up to 27 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave for employees unable to work due to serious illness or injury. Together, these updates signal continued expansion of employee leave protections under the BC Employment Standards Act.

Azerbaijan is finalizing changes that will replace the long-standing seven-year income tax exemption for non-oil private-sector employees with a new progressive tax schedule. The measures, included in the 2026 State Budget package, are expected to take effect on 1 January 2026 and would introduce a 3 percent tax on monthly income up to AZN 2,500, with higher rates applying in subsequent years.

These changes follow the scheduled expiry of the current 0 percent tax regime on 31 December 2025.

Germany has confirmed new statutory minimum wage rates that will rise to 13.90 euros per hour on 1 January 2026 and to 14.60 euros per hour on 1 January 2027. These updates were published in the Official Gazette and form part of the country’s scheduled wage adjustments. Employers with staff in Germany should be aware of these upcoming rate increases as they impact payroll planning.