Work - Expat News

Work - Expat Magazine

Four-day week: A boost to international careers?

Presented as one of the new flexicurity solutions, the four-day week seems to have a lot of benefits. Young workers, especially generation Z, are especially favorable to the option. While physicians and sociologists are researching the phenomenon, countries are experimenting with the new system by conducting full-scale tests. How does the four-day work week impact the lives of expatriates? Should it be part of the criteria for choosing your next destination?

These Canadian provinces are the most in need of expats

Canadian Minister of Immigration Sean Fraser's latest announcements have been reported in all international media. Professionals around the world see it as a new opportunity to grasp their Canadian dream. However, some provinces need foreign labor more than others, and the government could direct the new skilled immigrants to regions that are particularly affected.

Taiwan rolls out the red carpet for international talent

Are you planning to boost your career overseas? Have you ever considered Taiwan? The island is striving to move ahead of its powerful competitors, namely mainland China and Hong Kong. So, how is the country attracting international talent, and what are the reactions of its competitors?

Are expat freelancers eligible for social benefits?

Are you tempted to start a business abroad or create one in your home country with the possibility of working from anywhere in the world? With the boom of digital nomadism, more and more freelancers are taking the leap. But are they covered by their home country's social security? Are they entitled to some form of social assistance?

Remote work: What are the risks if you move abroad without informing your employer

As work-from-home becomes the new normal, more expats feel tempted by the possibility of being a digital nomad who works from a Brazilian beach or a European summer house. However, some expats are doing it without the prior consent of their employers. This can create serious compliance and regulatory issues for the company, issues for which the worker can get sacked.

Germany: These sectors urgently need foreign talent

Like many countries after the pandemic, Germany is currently suffering from labor shortages. Hospitality, construction, manufacturing, services, healthcare, engineering and the sciences are all sectors needing foreign labor. The EU Blue Card and Job Seeker Visa are two common employment pathways for skilled non-EU immigrants. In addition, the country has recently announced a new points-based work visa called the Chancenkarte.

Expats in Sweden in limbo due to work permit delays

Due to the delays of the Swedish Migration Agency in issuing Work Permits, many non-EU/EEA expats are currently unable to get a personal identification number that allows them to find housing, open a bank account, receive their salary or even leave the country.

6 ways to successfully integrate into the workplace as an expat

The first day at a new job is always daunting. Stress, exhaustion, loneliness and nervous excitement are all common emotions but add on top of that, culture shock, language barriers and trying to settle your family into their new life abroad, it can all get overwhelming.

New worker pick-up law confuses Malaysian companies

In September, Malaysia's Immigration Department issued a new policy requiring employers to pick up foreign workers at the airport no more than 6 hours after they land. The lack of clarity and very short time limit left the management of Malaysian companies feeling confused. In response, in early October, the department gave a leeway of 4 extra hours and allowed agents to represent the employers at the airport.

Austria: Short-term work permits expected to resolve labor shortage

Austria is facing labor shortages like many European countries and the rest of the world. As a response, the government announced the introduction of short-term work permits intended for foreign workers with short-term contracts, hoping to attract skilled workers. What are the conditions to be met for obtaining this permit, and what does the Austrian labor market currently look like?

The Golden Pension Scheme for expats in the United Arab Emirates explained

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is keeping its pace in terms of openness. After introducing the unemployment insurance scheme for expatriates, the government recently introduced the "Golden Pension Scheme", a retirement savings plan intended for foreign workers. How does it work, and what are the benefits for expats?

Germany: what the minimum wage and mini-job income cap raise mean for expats

In October, Germany increased the minimum wage for the third time in a single year. It also raised the income cap of mini-jobs, a form of short-term employment. These are efforts by the government to help people adapt to inflationary trends and the cost of living crisis.

These countries are experiencing brain drain: Here are the consequences

The end of the pandemic has changed many things in the international labor market. Many developed countries seek highly-qualified economic immigrants to compensate for the workforce lost due to increased mortality, border closures and the Great Resignation in the USA. On the other side, countries providing these highly-skilled immigrants are losing them through a brain drain.

France remains a top expat country despite brain drain

Although France is trying hard to boost economic immigration, its main driver of growth, it has been facing a brain drain for many years. So how does France keep on attracting international talent while the local talent is looking for greener pastures?

United States: labor shortages persist despite immigration rebound

Immigration to the United States has nearly rebounded to pre-pandemic levels. In spite of that, some sectors, namely hospitality, construction and services, are still experiencing severe worker shortages. These sectors have historically been staffed by working-class migrants, especially from Central and South America. Some analysts say that increasing legal immigration pathways for that demographic is a solution.

Are expats a threat to youth employment?

Immigrants tend to bear the brunt of economic downturns. The health and economic crises have led to fundamental questions about the expats' place in the local workforce. In 2020, some even bet on the end of global mobility as we know it. Others pointed out the positive impact a decrease in immigration would have on the employment of young locals. But are expats really a threat to the employment of young people?

What should expats do in case of conflictual relationships at work?

Let's say you have recently been hired abroad, or you have been promoted, changed department, changed supervisors... And that everything was going fine until the day tensions began to flare between you and your supervisor. Ever since then, every day brought its share of disagreements. Either that, or they would break out without warning, at the turn of a meeting, or because of some misunderstanding or misinterpretation.

What is Ireland doing to attract more foreign health professionals?

The Health Service Executive (HSE) of Ireland, the country's public healthcare system, has announced that it will now offer relocation packages worth over €4,000 to foreign health professionals who want to move to the country. This is the latest in a series of measures to solve the labor shortage in Irish public healthcare.