economist.com (18.09.2025) The biggest workforce in the world has undergone an extraordinary transformation. China’s farm labourers and industrial proletariat have been joined by an army of gig workers. Tens of millions now use tech platforms to find jobs for fleeting periods; fully 200m, or 40% of the urban labour force, depend on some kind of flexible work. The fortunes of these precarious workers, many of whom struggle to buy property and gain access to public services and benefits, will shape China’s economy and society for years to come.

World Economic Forum (15.09.2025) The digital economy is transforming livelihoods at an unprecedented pace, with digital services accounting for over half of global services exports. As digital labour becomes a key export for many developing countries, questions of trade policy and standards lie alongside those about jobs. The priority should be building a digital economy that delivers innovation and growth, as well as dignity, fairness and security for workers worldwide.

eurasiareview.com (08.09.2025) Like many countries with an aging population, Mexico is facing a pension crisis. In just the last five years, the universal pension for older adults quadrupled its budget. Coupled with low growth, the ever-rising cash transfers and subsidies have become a major drag on the country’s economy. Welfare payments to individuals—such as the universal pension for older adults, disability pensions, and student stipends—have grown at a pace that outstripped investment in infrastructure, education, and security.

freemalaysiatoday.com (28.08.2025) The Dewan Rakyat has passed the Gig Workers Bill 2025, which sets out rights for gig workers and rules for firms and platforms that hire them. The bill makes it clear that gig workers must get fair terms in their agreements, be told of their pay and tasks in advance, and their services cannot be terminated without good cause. Key elements include an official definition of gig workers, setting minimum compensation, establishing a complaints mechanism, and ensuring social security protection through mandatory contributions to Perkeso.

Pension Policy International (19.08.2025) Senator Bill Cassidy (R- IL) uncovered the Unlocking Benefits for Independent Workers Act to prevent gig worker misclassification. Under this legislation, companies will be able to voluntarily offer portable benefits without employing gig workers and having to pay for unemployment insurance, overtime pay, and workers’ compensation. For some time, there has been a disagreement between labor advocates and large companies like Uber or Lyft over portable benefits.

TLT LLP (24.08.2025) Climate-related risk is now firmly embedded in trustees’ responsibilities and consciousness.

ilo.org (16.07.2025) The Arab Social Protection Compass series hosted a webinar on the topic titled 'Bridging the Coverage and Formalization Gap Through Subsidized Social Security Contributions', where the results of the global study were discussed. The session brought together lessons from selected country experiences, including Jordan’s Estidama++ programme, an example of how well-designed subsidies can lead to lasting results. “Jordan’s Estidama++ programme stands out as a case where a short-term subsidy led to lasting enrolment in social security system.

koreabizwire.com (10.07.2025) South Korea is weighing a significant pension reform that could bring platform workers — such as food delivery riders and chauffeur-for-hire drivers — under the same pension contribution scheme as regular employees, with their platforms potentially covering half of their premiums.

The Greek Herald (16.06.2025) Starting June 16, Greece has become the first country in Europe to provide free home delivery of high-cost medications through its national health insurance agency, EOPYY. The program is expected to support around 139,000 patients, including those undergoing cancer treatment and individuals with chronic illnesses who depend on EOPYY pharmacies for their medications. EOPYY President Theano Karpodini hailed the initiative as a landmark in public healthcare.

theedgemalaysia.com (17.06.2025) The Social Security Organisation (Socso), also known as Perkeso, aims to introduce mandatory contributions for gig economy workers starting January 2026. This initiative is part of broader efforts to extend social protection to Malaysia's expanding informal workforce which, according to official data, constitutes over 25% of the country’s workforce.