Overview of article.  South Africa, a country with over 50 million people, has the largest economy in Africa.  Among its major sources of business are tourism, agriculture and mineral resources.  Many U. S. and multi-national companies have locations in South Africa.  This article will provide some basic information about employment law in South Africa for companies who already employ workers in South Africa or who are considering hiring employees in that country. The Basic ...

This is the fifth article in a series about East European employment law issues. Bordered by Germany, Austria, Poland, and Slovakia, the Czech Republic occupies an important position in Europe.  Following the Velvet Revolution of 1989, and its return to liberal democracy, the Czech Republic quickly became re-integrated into Europe and is a strong economic force in the region.  The Czech Republic ranks 64 out of 183 economies for “ease of doing business” and boasts a highly...

Temporary Protected Status Automatic Extensions and Continued Employment

On Monday, April 2, 2012, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will begin accepting FY 2013 H-1B cap-subject petitions for employment starting on October 1, 2012.

As the world embarks into the Year of the Dragon, China is making every effort to draw in more and more international business to add to its already skyrocketing economy.  China’s current Labor Law is expected to be amended in 2012. The issue is to what degree and to what effect the 2012 amendments, if enacted, will have on employers.  The changes and effect of the 2012 amendments are yet to be fully known or disclosed, but it is now a good time for all of us to review and ensure...

Bordering seven other European countries, Hungary occupies a strategic location in Central Europe.  Hungary is a member of the European Union, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.  As with many Central and East European economies, the transfer from a planned to a market economy has not been easy for Hungary, and it suffered greatly during the transition and subsequent global recession.  Compounding its problems, Hu...

     Although the Presidential candidates will not be delving into all the volatile details of immigration in an election year, employers should tackle immigration issues to avoid monetary penalties and criminal sanctions.  Here are twelve steps all employers should take in 2012 to comply with the myriad of immigration laws: 1.    Conduct An Annual I-9 Audit The I-9 audit should be conducted by someone other than the person responsible for completing I...

Overview.  On January 3, 2012, Businessweek.com reported that unemployment in Germany fell more than originally forecast in December due to the boom of exports of cars and machinery, as well as the mild winter that resulted in additional construction jobs.  For example, Audi AG, the German automobile manufacturer, announced it may add 1,200 jobs in 2012 due to its expanded investment in electric vehicles and light-metal technology.  Airbus SAS, the jumbo jet manufacturer headquart...

Give your company the gift of an immigration audit this year – it may just keep your company off the government’s naughty list.  Here are the top 11 immigration mistakes employers made in 2011: 1.  The $5.9 million Error: Failing To Properly Pay H-1B Workers In March, the U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division assessed over $1.7 million in civil money penalties and ordered the payment of over $4.2 million in back wages against Maryland's Prince George's County Pu...

This is the third article in a three-part series addressing employment matters in Central and Eastern Europe. As employers increasingly look to expand their global reach, the countries of Central and Eastern Europe continue to provide attractive opportunities for entrepreneurs.  Effectively closed to foreign investment and travel for decades, the Republic of Albania has undergone many changes  in recent years.  Strategically located in central Europe, only 45 miles from Italy and...