A survey in South Korea reveals that nearly half of workers, especially contract employees and those at small companies, cannot freely use parental leave or reduced hours for childcare. Female contract workers face the highest difficulty, while male workers and senior managers report easier access.
Vietnam is implementing new incentives, including cash bonuses and housing priority, to encourage couples to have more children and combat a declining fertility rate, aiming to sustain its export boom.
Vietnam's new population law, effective Wednesday, extends maternity leave to seven months for mothers of a second child and provides financial aid, including subsidized prenatal/newborn screenings and cash bonuses up to $228. This marks a shift from family planning control to population development.
Economists warn Pauline Hanson's One Nation proposals on parental leave and childcare could damage productivity and worsen gender inequality. Suggestions include employers not paying women on maternity leave and shifting childcare funding directly to parents, potentially impacting women's financial independence and the economy.
Shoko Kawata, Japan's youngest female mayor, has ignited a national discussion by taking maternity leave, a move unprecedented for an incumbent mayor. The decision highlights Japan's struggle with gender equality and outdated work culture, prompting calls for systemic support for working parents.
The Delhi High Court has ruled that Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat can participate in the Asian Games selection trials, criticizing the Wrestling Federation of India's policy for unfairly excluding athletes returning from maternity leave.
Kyoto Prefecture's Yawata Mayor Shoko Kawata (35) will take maternity leave this summer, becoming the first sitting female mayor in Japan to do so. Nagakute Mayor Yumi Sato (48), a fellow female leader, expressed full support for Kawata's "challenge" to promote measures for declining birthrates and women's advancement.
Claire Emslie has been recalled by Scotland for their Women's World Cup qualifiers against Israel, five months after giving birth. Christy Grimshaw also receives her first call-up under Melissa Andreatta.
A lawsuit has been filed against MrBeast (Jimmy Donaldson) and his company alleging a toxic workplace culture. The complaint claims the company lacked a standard employee handbook and instead distributed one titled 'How to Succeed In MrBeast Production' that included problematic directives such as 'No Does Not Mean No' and 'The Amount of hours you work is irrelevant,' while instructing staff to allow talent to engage in inappropriate behavior.
