Teachers, already dispatched to Kurashiki schools, privately approached the Board of Education (BoE) seeking direct hire. They were turned down flat. With nothing to lose, the teachers decided to join the union and see what could be done.
After negotiations got under way, the Board of Education made the right decision by terminating the city contract with Interac and taking the sub-contracted teachers on as direct hire employees.
It wasn’t all smooth sailing
When the union demanded that our members, dispatched through Interac, be given priority in direct employment, Interac started threatening the union members saying if teachers applied for the position, “you will lose the position both at the BoE and at Interac.” Interac also tried to evict the teachers, illegally, from accommodation that was provided by the city. They even went as far as trying to cut off the electricity and gas without any warning and making threatening phone calls and leaving threatening letters ordering teachers to leave their accommodation. This angered the BoE as much as it angered the teachers.
The General Union sent organisers to Okayama to support the members, and the members fought it out. Finally, at the end of March, we won a last minute victory. Out of our 7 members 4 were taken on by Kurashiki City, and others got dispatch positions at other BoEs in neighboring areas of Okayama.
Direct Hire Vs. Interac
| Working Conditions | Kurashiki Direct Hire | Interac Dispatch |
| Monthly Salary | 330,000 | Variable: 180 – 260,000 depending on nationality |
| Housing Allowance | 25,000 | zero |
| Summer Salary | 100% | 60% |
| Yearly Bonus | 150-420,000 | zero |
| Shakai Hoken (health & pension) | Yes, 50% paid by employer | zero |
| Paid Annual Leave | 15 – 20 days days | 5 days |
| Sick Leave | 5 days | zero |
| Extended Paid Medical Leave | up to 25 days | zero |
| Bereavement Leave | 10 days | zero |
Are you and your co-workers interested in direct hire? Contact the union to find out more.
