Minimum Wage Watch: Bulgaria’s labour minister says the minimum wage won’t stay at current levels in 2027, with the exact rise tied to agreed criteria and a push for higher qualifications. Wage-Hike Legal Battle (Philippines): Metro Manila unions are urging the Marcos administration to step in after a Pasig court suspended the first tranche of the P85 wage increase, arguing jobs won’t vanish and unemployment won’t spike. Minimum Wage Ruling (India): Bombay High Court rejected BMC petitions and ruled community health volunteers must receive minimum wages under the Minimum Wages Act, treating their work as employment in practice. Healthcare Coverage Expansion (India): Gujarat expanded ESIC access to tertiary and super-speciality care via six new healthcare agreements, covering serious illnesses under ESIC rules. Youth Employment Pressure (Arab region): A report warns Arab states face a worsening youth jobs crisis, with youth unemployment at 26.2% in 2025 and rising joblessness projected ahead. Career Pathways (Qatar): Qatar’s National Cyber Security Academy joined a job-shadowing programme for secondary students, adding more exposure to cybersecurity roles. Local Jobs Push (Goa): Goa’s CM says 6,000–8,000 government jobs are planned in six months, alongside renewed focus on renewable energy opportunities. HR Strategy & Compliance (US): A piece for LA employers flags HR’s growing role as states tighten rules on stay-or-pay agreements and wage thresholds keep climbing. Social Security Reality Check (US): Experts break down how earning $100,000 over a lifetime can still mean modest Social Security payouts, since benefits are based on the highest 35 years of indexed earnings.