Work - Expat Magazine
The remote working boom since the health crisis has rekindled the debate: should you be constantly available for work? How can foreign professionals set their boundaries, considering cultural differences? Let's take a closer look at countries where employees feel obliged to remain available outside working hours.
Remote working is being heralded as the dominant way of working in the future as it continues to gain ground around the world. Some economists even estimate that one in 3 workers will be remote workers, including digital nomads (their proportion is even set to rise). Others, however, insist that the "good old office" is not dead. Technological advances are entering the debate, ready to stir up trouble. When redundancies multiply and artificial intelligence (AI) enters the fray, certain professions seem to be at risk.
The Lloyd's Register Foundation (LRF), the International Labour Organization (ILO) and Gallup conducted the first-ever global survey on workplace violence and harassment, which found that more than 20% of workers have experienced physical, psychological, or sexual violence or harassment at work. The survey found that the problem is pervasive and disproportionately affects employees, especially young people, women and foreign workers, as opposed to the self-employed.
Countries facing significant labor shortages are making policy changes to attract international talent. Some of these include introducing immigration reforms, making entry requirements more flexible, and creating new visas. Here are some of the latest measures taken by different countries to attract foreign professionals.
The "global labor shortage" conceals profound disparities, even within the same country. While the healthcare, construction, and manufacturing sectors are affected by profound crises, hiring international talent isn't always the solution. Some countries have taken a different stand lately by choosing to prioritize foreign investment over international talent. What are their motivations?
Job loss can be very traumatic, and this shock can be even more significant when you are an expat with no one to turn to for help. From dependents to visas, unemployment benefits and health insurance, here's what you need to know about your rights as an expat in case of job loss.
Working as a temporary worker abroad can be an exciting opportunity, offering a chance to experience a new culture, develop professional skills, and earn money in the process. However, it's important to understand your rights as a temporary worker and ensure they are protected. Whether you're planning to work abroad for a few weeks, months, or even longer, it's essential to familiarize yourself with the laws and regulations that apply to temporary workers in your host country.
Digital nomadism and remote working have significantly gained popularity since the global health crisis. While they existed before that, they have become remarkably widespread. Countries across the globe are gradually introducing digital nomad visas, making way for a new era of remote work. Notably, even major companies are embracing the concept of remote working from abroad. As a result, the international labor market is transforming, and recent years have witnessed notable changes that demand our attention.
Discovering a new country or a new culture is not the only reason for moving abroad. In reality, many people want to boost their careers or even opt for a career change or retrain and switch jobs to start afresh. So what are the most sought-after skills for those looking to a career transition overseas? Let's have a look.
Can you take a break from your career overseas? The idea is gaining momentum, especially since the pandemic, which has been an eye-opener for many. This idea is being more formalized and realized by expatriates for whom professional life is part of a broader framework. The quest for a meaningful career is much discussed and debated. How important is it to take a break in your international career, and what are your options?
In the past decade, there has been a noticeable increase in the number of young professionals seeking to live and work abroad. This trend is evidenced by the rise of digital nomads and international remote workers who have revolutionized the work organization. It is, therefore, worth exploring the motivations and evolving expectations of these young talents when they decide to leave their country of origin.
Netherlands
According to Karien van Gennip, the Dutch Minister of Labour, many workers with flexible contracts and self-employed are uncertain about their employment status. Having a job is a good thing, but it's even better to have job security and career prospects. With this in mind, the government proposed new rules in April to ensure a more stable and balanced labor market. Here are some of the key details.
Rather than be a simple line on a CV, an internship abroad is a gateway to an international career. It also allows for more self-awareness and offers an excellent opportunity to learn more about a foreign country. The intern can thus discover a new language, entrepreneurial culture, and work organization and improve their knowledge and skills. What are the best countries for internships? Here are some tips and practical advice on maximizing your chances of obtaining an internship abroad.
If you're looking to broaden your horizons by immersing yourself in different cultures and gaining work experience simultaneously, working abroad is an excellent option. Fortunately, there are plenty of overseas jobs available that do not require prior experience. These roles not only allow you to travel to new places but also improve your professional skills. By researching these job opportunities, you can narrow down your search and move closer to landing a job overseas.
The world is hiring, but shortages of skilled workers continue to pose a challenge this year, prompting governments to ease visa requirements, shorten processing times, and attract foreign talent. Urgency is the new watchword, as these shortages are a drag on economic growth. Governments must act decisively and quickly against international tensions such as the war in Ukraine, energy and economic crises, and inflation coupled with aging populations.
Remote working has become popular since the pandemic, but expat workers might still be unsure about how to request it. Are there labor laws that lay down rules for remote working? If you plan on working from abroad as an expat, what issues should both you and your employer take into consideration?
Despite the promised advantages, the French government's recent move to raise the retirement age (62 to 64) has not been well received by the population. A similar appalment has been noted toward South Korea's proposal of raising the work time to 69 hours per week. All the bitterness caused raised a legit question; can one handle a career at a moment so close to retirement? Are global labor shortages a sign that you can start a career overseas at 60?
You may have just landed a job abroad, or you may have been employed for a long time. Like companies' work culture, legislation varies from one country to another. Expat employees are sometimes more vulnerable when faced with a legal framework that they are not familiar with. How can they protect themselves and enforce their rights? How to be sure that the employment contract respects the legal framework?
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