ICYMI: wrapping up 2022 with a look at the world

Happy day after Boxing Day and by the way, it is also "International Day of Epidemic Preparedness"! Seems fitting to mention that here in our 26th and last ICYMI post for 2022, but let's acknowledge that we are in a very different place then we were at this point last year. In our final ICYMI post of 2021, we were deep into Omicron-induced staff shortages, discussing vaccine and mask mandates, dealing with changing entry requirements and restrictions across the world and watching Covid numbers rise in locations like India, Portugal, and France. At that point we were wondering where the housing market and mortgages would go in the coming year...and we are now finding out. And yet, somehow we're still wondering exactly how this will play out. 

Heading into 2023, a recession is the top concern for many companies and their global mobility programs. In a few weeks, we will be running our Global Mobility Trends Survey to get perspectives of global mobility leaders and teams on what the key issues and areas of focus for 2023 will be for the coming 12 months.

With that coming, let's take one last lap around some of the things that are going on around the world that might have an impact on your global mobility programs:

1. United Kingdom: The UK will have numerous potential strikes that are expected to impact travel for anyone coming in or out and traveling within the country over the holiday period. Unionized Border Force staff plan to strike at airports and ports across the UK from Dec. 23-31. Per Crisis24, unless averted, the strike will probably cause delays and disruptions at entry and exit passport checkpoints given the high number of travelers over the Christmas and New Year holiday period. Complex checks, including those involving visas, will likely exacerbate delays. Try this page if you need help figuring out how you might be impacted. 
2. The Netherlands: Per our friends at Packimpex, the Netherlands have released the new gross salary thresholds for Highly Skilled Migrants in 2023. The new salaries are distributed as such:
   • for people aged 30+: €5.008/month
   • for those younger than 30: €3.672/month
   • for fresh graduates and persons with higher education: €2.631/month
   • for European Blue Card holders: €5.867/month.
3. Indonesia: The Indonesian government announced that employers of foreign workers must submit the required annual report on foreign nationals by January 10th, 2023 according to out friends at Fragomen. There are actually 3 reports due for the annual submission. The first is a list of foreign workers who hold an emergency, short-term or long-term work permit. The second is a list of the foreign workers’ Indonesian counterparts and steps taken to implement educational/training courses and certificates. The third is a list of the foreign workers who cancelled their work permits at the company during the previous year.
4. Canada: The Government of Canada explains that The Global Talent Stream, as part of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, is intended to be used when companies are facing short-term skills and labor shortages, and only when no Canadians and permanent residents are available. The goal is to allow Canadian companies to access highly-skilled global talent to expand their workforce in Canada and aid them in being more competitive on a global scale. They have updated the list of occupations eligible under its Global Talent Stream program, effective December 22, 2022. Fragomen notes that the list of occupations will now include civil, electrical, electronics, mining, and aerospace engineers, plus electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians.
5. China: China is ending Covid quarantine for inbound travelers. China announced on Dec 26th, that starting January 8th, 2023, travelers will no longer need to quarantine upon arrival on the mainland, although a negative PCR test will be needed. The country is working to improve visa arrangements for foreigners to enter the country for resumption of work, business, study, visiting relatives and other gatherings. Chinese citizens also will see improved ability to travel overseas. CNBC reports that "The changes end the bulk of the most restrictive measures that China had imposed for nearly three years under its zero-Covid policy."
6. United States: We have now been exposed to a new weather related term, "bomb cyclone". While rare, this one has been especially intense, powerful, and impactful. Snow, extreme cold, and strong winds have made travel a messy situation over the Christmas weekend and continuing into the week after. As of today, dozens of Americans have died and officials in the Buffalo metro area, for which this storm was the worst in 50 years, believe the staggering toll will continue to grow. The eastern U.S. will also continue to see freezing temperatures for a number of days.
7. Global: Most of these entries are related to a specific location (city/country), but occasionally we see one related to a region or full scale global program. Fear of actually talking on the phone is becoming more prevalent, especially among Millennial and Gen Z workers. This is an interesting global consideration that might keep changing business communications over time. OZY shares how one of their consultants noticed the lack of phone communication skills among younger workers, noting that actually talking on the phone seems to be something that has not been taught. Will this impact service delivery perspectives? Can you relate and do you see this occurring within your global mobility program?  

Let us know if we missed anything big and we can update it or bring it to you in 2023 as we continue our ICYMI posts! Wishing you all a very Happy New Year!