adb.org (06.08.2026) Subsidy reform is often seen as raising prices and cutting support. In practice, it is more about transforming how governments provide support so that it is better targeted, efficient, and more sustainable in the long term. Experience from South Asia shows that subsidy reform works best when it is part of wider efforts to improve public finances, strengthen institutions, and protect vulnerable people.

Aju Press AMP (30.07.2026) South Korea is considering requiring delivery apps and other digital labor platforms to explain how their algorithms distribute work, as the government prepares legal changes needed to ratify a international convention protecting platform workers. The move follows the International Labour Organization (ILO) newly adopted convention, the Decent Work in the Platform Economy Convention, last month. It is the first international labor standard specifically dedicated to work arranged through digital platforms.

www.frontiersin.org (23.07.2026) The services that are not covered by the long-term care insurance play a critical role in supplementing the public care system in the aging society of Japan. Their combination with technologies of the shared economy is not only an extension of the shared economy into the specialized service market, but it is also a natural demand of the market in the long-term care service market that is the necessity to innovate and develop. This study constructed a technology acceptance extension model, using the Tokyo area as the survey scope.

ilo.org (09.04.2026) This ILO policy paper discuss challenges, country experiences and possible policy solutions for universal social protection in a changing labour market, grounded in international social security standards and good practices.

theguardian.com (23.06.2026) Recommendations from commission propose gradual rise in retirement age by the early 2090s

forbes.com (29.06.2026) A KFF analysis reveals 26.7 million Americans are uninsured, but the report suggests this figure oversimplifies the issue. Over half of the uninsured may be eligible for existing subsidized plans, and many forgo coverage by choice, not solely due to cost. The article argues that Obamacare's mandates contribute to expensive and restrictive insurance options, while limited access to short-term plans and Medicaid's low doctor reimbursement further deter enrollment.

thewire.in (22.06.2026) Gig and platform workers face not just income insecurity but arbitrary rules and regulations, often determined by where they happen to work.

Ogletree (12.06.2026) On June 12, 2026, the International Labour Conference adopted the Convention Concerning Decent Work in the Platform Economy (No. 193), the first international labor standard specifically designed for platform and gig economy work. This matters even for companies that do not consider themselves “platform operators.”

opengovasia.com (31.05.2026) India’s PM SVANidhi scheme is strengthening financial inclusion for street vendors by providing affordable working capital loans, digital payment incentives and links to social welfare programmes. Introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic, the initiative supports vendors whose livelihoods depend on small daily transactions and who often lack access to formal credit. According to information released by the Government of India, the programme has already supported millions of vendors nationwide and will now continue lending until March 2030.

OpenGov Asia (20.05.2026) Indonesia will expand trials of its digital social protection platform, known as Perlinsos, to 42 cities and districts in June 2026. The initiative represents a significant scale-up of a pilot programme designed to modernise welfare distribution through integrated digital public infrastructure.