S$80,000 For Businesses To Be Family-Friendly
To encourage more businesses to create pro-family products and services, funding and eligibility criteria for the Businesses for Families Grant will be increased.

For more, see http://www.business.gov.sg/EN/News/20091229famfriendly.htm

M&A stirring to life again after drought of 2009
(SINGAPORE) Buyout activity targeting Singapore-based companies has slumped as much as 40 per cent so far this year, latest figures from Dealogic show.

For more, see http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/sub/news/story/0,4574,365060,00.html?

Local vs foreign talent debate one of top REACH feedback issues in 2009
SINGAPORE: Foreign talent, and integrating permanent residents and new citizens into Singapore society are just some of the top issues the government feedback department, REACH, received in 2009.

For more, see http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1026354/1/.html

Tweet while you work, urges Australian report
SYDNEY: Blog, tweet, update Facebook – that's the message the Australian government is sending its bureaucrats as part of a push to break down barriers between public servants and ordinary people.

For more, see http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/technologynews/view/1023317/1/.html

Workers urged to check pay
Unions are urging festive season workers in NSW to check their pay packets and ensure proper penalty rates are being honoured.

For more, see http://www.smh.com.au/small-business/workers-urged-to-check-pay-20091222-lag7.html

Jan 3 launch of EPF saving scheme for self-employed
KUALA LUMPUR: The Employees Provident Fund (EPF) will launch the 1Malaysia Retirement Saving Scheme on Jan 3 to help the self-employed cope with income inadequacy during retirement.

For more, see http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/12/23/nation/5355198&sec=nation

Live like a Gen Y this summer
Generation Y are often criticised for their lack of investing prowess, but as the year winds to a close, I think there are some valuable lessons we could all learn from the Gen Y approach to life and finance this summer: Get a life.

For more, see http://blogs.theage.com.au/small-business/wellheeled/2009/12/16/livelikeagen.html

Skills shortage expected to worsen as economy improves
Australia's shortage of skilled labour will worsen as the economy improves, according to a survey by the Australian Institute of Management.

For more, see http://www.smh.com.au/small-business/managing/skills-shortage-expected-to-worsen-as-economy-improves-20091215-kt49.html

Small business in for a shock
FEWER than half of Australia's small businesses are adequately prepared to deal with a further round of family friendly workplace laws that will take effect next month.

For more, see http://www.smh.com.au/small-business/managing/small-business-in-for-a-shock-20091215-kujh.html

Is job turnover tied to pay hikes?
SINGAPORE - In a year when retrenchments were more the main concern, some sectors still saw more than one in 10 staff leaving of their own accord.

For more, see http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC091218-0000116/Is-job-turnover-tied-to-pay-hikes

Students give job-hunting system a big F
College students habitually complain about being overloaded with study. Not Shingo Hori though, who demands to be allowed to study more.

For more, see http://search.japantimes.co.jp/mail/nn20091218f2.html

Too early to declare end to H1N1 flu pandemic: WHO official
GENEVA: Senior World Health Organisation official Keiji Fukuda said on Thursday that it was too early to declare the H1N1 flu pandemic over, as it continues at "high levels" in parts of Europe and central Asia.

For more, see http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_world/view/1025473/1/.html

Work bans threaten air travel
INDUSTRIAL action at Melbourne and Avalon airports could disrupt domestic travel plans from Tuesday with Qantas and Jetstar security screeners voting to not check for weapons and explosives.

For more, see http://www.theage.com.au/national/work-bans-threaten-air-travel-20091216-kxhu.html

Now for real nanny state
AUSTRALIA must overcome its ''ideological abhorrence'' to nannies if it is to exploit the nation's female talent, says new Opposition childcare spokeswoman Sharman Stone.

For more, see http://www.theage.com.au/national/now-for-real-nanny-state-20091216-kxi8.html

Govt to consider adding Vasakhi to calendar of festivals
KUALA LUMPUR: The Government will consider including the Sikh new year of Vasakhi, celebrated on April 14, in its calendar of annual festivals, the Dewan Negara was told Wednesday.

For more, see http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/12/16/nation/20091216150409&sec=nation

Parliament: GST Bill tabled for first reading (Update)
KUALA LUMPUR: The much anticipated Goods and Services Tax (GST) bill is tabled in the Dewan Rakyat for first reading by Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah.

For more, see http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/12/16/nation/20091216102228&sec=nation

Ranked well by expats
SINGAPORE emerged 4th among 26 nations behind Canada, Australia and Thailand in a new global survey by HSBC on which countries offer the best 'expat experience'.

For more, see http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_466500.html

Harder to find jobs
DESPITE signs of a turnaround in the job market, university graduates are no better off.

For more, see http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_467121.html

BA launches legal action to stop Christmas strike
LONDON: British Airways launched legal action on Tuesday to prevent cabin crew striking for 12 days over Christmas and the New Year, with up to one million travellers facing festive travel chaos.

For more, see http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_world_business/view/1024989/1/.html

4% floor rate for interest earned on all Special & Medisave and Retirement Account monies until 31 Dec 2010
To help members cope with the current economic climate, the Government will maintain the 4% floor rate for interest earned on all Special and Medisave Accounts (SMA) monies and Retirement Account (RA) monies for another year until 31 December 2010. After 31 December 2010, the 2.5% floor rate will apply for all CPF accounts.

For more, see http://mycpf.cpf.gov.sg/CPF/News/News-Release/N_09Dec2009.htm

NZ imports 'unskilled and here to stay'

New research has proven what many Aussies long suspected - Australia is a magnet for New Zealand's most unskilled workers.

For more, see http://news.ninemsn.com.au/world/978821/nz-imports-unskilled-and-here-to-stay