Several laws passed by the 8th National Assembly at its 7th session will take effect from January 1 next year.
Several laws passed by the 8th National Assembly at its 7th session will take effect from January 1 next year.
1. Same sex marriage not banned
The Marriage and Family Law 2014 replacing the same law in 2000 does not recognize same sex marriage but not ban it. Gays and lesbians can get married but they will not be protected under the law when disputes occur.
Marriageable age is increased to 18 for women and 20 for men.
The new law permits surrogacy for humanitarian purposes. The surrogate mother must be relatives of intended parents.
2. Three-month labor contracts must attend unemployment insurance
The Employment Law 2014 regulates seasonal workers under labor contracts of from three-month or longer must attend unemployment insurance, except home helpers and pensioners.
Employers have to buy the unemployment insurance no matter how many workers they use. Earlier they just had to buy the insurance if using 10 workers or higher.
3. Penalty doubled for late payment of health insurance
The Health Insurance 2014 regulates that those subject to health insurance payment but do not perform their duty will be forced to fully pay the premium together with an interest rate twice the interbank rate.
Employers have to refund all costs belonging to health insurance that their workers pay during the time they do not have insurance cards.
4. District people’s committees eligible for bankruptcy procedures
The Bankruptcy Law 2014 specifies that creditors can file a petition for bankruptcy proceedings against their debtors three months after the debt due date.
District people’s committees are eligible to conduct bankruptcy procedures to cooperatives and businesses. Transactions conducted within six months before the date when the court handles a case will go invalid.
(Source:SGGP)
