Several important updates to the Labour Law became effective 25 March this year:

-          The amendments provide employers with a new right to terminate an employment contract if the employee is absent from work due to his or her continuous temporary incapacity, which lasts for more than six months. In the event of an employee's recurrent incapacity, it will be possible to terminate the employment contract if the employee is absent from work for one year during a three-year period. The new procedures are designed to combat dishonest employees who take prolonged sick leave.

-          If an unpaid leave lasts for more than four weeks during a one-year period, it shall no longer be added to the total time period entitling one to a paid leave. This change was made taking into consideration employers' complaints that their employees tend to request unpaid leave to go and work abroad for the sake of profit and then ask for a paid leave upon return.

-          The changes also stipulate that employers are no longer obliged to retain an employee's work remuneration during his or her study leave for the purpose of taking a state exam or writing a thesis. It is now up to the employer.

Several provisions were added to the Law to combat illegal employment:

-          An employment contract must now be concluded both in writing and before the commencement of the employment. If the employer does not provide a written employment contract and the employee or the employer cannot provide any other proof of the duration of the employment relationship, work hours and remuneration, it shall be deemed that the employee has already been employed for three months and that she/he works regular hours for which she/he shall receive the minimum monthly wage.

-          From now on, one will be entitled to terminate an employment contract due to the violations stipulated in the law within 12 months from the violation date. The current term is six months.

-          The amendments also stipulate that job advertisements shall state the employer or the person who performs employee evaluation and selection.