EOR providers are a third-party company that handles human resource (HR) and employment-related activities, such as compliance, payroll, taxes, onboarding, and contract negotiations, on behalf of your business. It enables you to put more time and effort into your daily business operations and building employee relationships.

Numerous countries in the world, including some with the most highly qualified workforce, have strict laws in place for labour and employment, making it extremely difficult to comply without the help of a professional EOR provider. 

This article will explore five countries that have a desirable workforce for UK businesses but also a range of complexities that will require the help of robust and innovative EOR services.

China

China is a rapidly growing economy, with its gross domestic product (GDP) expected to reach almost £20 trillion by 2030. The country is also one of the top global exporters and importers. This makes it an attractive market to expand into. 

In addition, China is also the country with the largest population, which gives UK employers a never-ending talent pool. The cities of Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen have larger business and tech hubs with more available English-speaking talent.

However, China has a complex legal system and strict labour laws. As a result, UK businesses will need to hire a China EOR provider to help with compliance issues, including hiring and payroll, while focusing on growth and expansion in China's booming economy.

South Korea

South Korea is the most educated country in the world, with a literacy rate of 97.9% in 2024. The country's education system is known for its rigorous standards and high expectations from students starting at a young age. 

The commitment to education has positioned South Korea's workforce as highly desirable. However, the country has a highly competitive job market and a low unemployment rate.

Luckily, an EOR provider can help UK businesses attract and retain top talent from South Korea because they already have robust talent acquisition strategies and can provide comprehensive HR support and benefits packages. 

India 

Due to significant differences in the cost of living and economic factors, skilled Indian professionals are available at a more competitive rate than those in Western countries, making the workforce an attractive option for UK businesses, especially startups. 

However, India ranks 63 out of 190 in the ease of doing business index, highlighting the difficulty of starting and running a business there. This is why UK businesses should hire an EOR provider to help them navigate the ease of doing business challenges by providing legal and administrative support, such as payroll processing and compliance management.

Brazil

Brazil's diverse and dynamic workforce is desirable to UK businesses that aim to diversify their workforce and create an inclusive environment.

However, employment contracts in Brazil are for indefinite terms, meaning there isn't a predetermined end date when the contract is signed. Luckily, EOR providers manage the contracts and timesheets for any Brazilian employees you hire.

United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates government is committed to building a business-friendly environment with advanced infrastructure, including world-class communication networks and connectivity. This makes the country an ideal climate for UK businesses seeking to hire top talent in the Middle East.

However, UAE employment regulations vary in all seven federation states, making it even more complex depending on where your prospective employee lives. Therefore, having an EOR provider that handles complex HR-related matters and understands the varying UAE laws in detail is beneficial.

Ready To Expand Your Workforce?

The countries explored in this article are just some of the many worldwide that have highly desirable workforces, due to diversity, education, competitive wages, booming economies, and business-friendly environments.

However, these five countries have more complex labour laws and regulations, making it tricky to set up a legal local entity and begin hiring employees. Luckily, EOR services are designed to make it easy by already having talent acquisition strategies and understanding local laws.

By Dmytro Spilka

Keywords: HR

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