Key Employment Practices Across Hong Kong & Macau, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan

Comparing the number of working hours in different countries can provide insight into cultural work norms, economic productivity, and even labour laws.

To put things into perspective, the average employee in countries/regions such as South Korea and Japan clocks in more hours and workdays, leading them to sit on the higher end of the spectrum compared to most European countries (including major European powers such as France, Germany, and the UK).

In the European Union (EU), all employees are entitled to at least four paid holidays per year. This is a stark contrast to the US, which is the only advanced economy in the world that does not guarantee paid holidays for workers (Visual Capitalist, 2024).

In this issue, we will explore key employment practices and insights into how Hong Kong & Macau, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan address regulatory requirements and workplace standards.