Important Changes to Unemployment Benefits from April 2025
— Three key points you should know — From 1 April 2025, Japan’s Employment Insurance system has changed the restriction period…
Labor Bulletin #230
This bulletin contains information on law changes that have either passed, or are being discussed, in parliament, court decisions, and…
Typhoon Day? Cancelled Classes? No Pay? Keep Reading
When a typhoon warning goes up or an employer decides to close for “safety reasons,” many workers assume they’ve just lost a…
Labor Bulletin #229
This bulletin contains information on law changes that have either passed, or are being discussed, in parliament, court decisions, and…
Beyond Term Limits: the 5-Year Rule and You
SEMINAR – Sunday, 30 November at 19:00 to 21:00 via ZOOM RSVP your attendance → https://uni.genu.cc/UTC The General Union invites you to an important…
Understanding Your Payslip: What Every Employee Should See
Every worker deserves transparency when it comes to their pay. Your 給与明細書 (kyūyo meisaisho), or payslip, is an important document…
Labor Bulletin #228
This bulletin contains information on law changes that have either passed, or are being discussed, in parliament, court decisions, and…
Read “Freedom, Risk, and Protection: What Japan’s Freelance Act Really Means for Tech Workers” at tokyodev.com
Japan’s freelance tech market is booming, but that growth comes with risk. The Freelance Act now guarantees written contracts, 60-day…
Can Freelancers Join a Union? Sometimes Yes, Sometimes No.
First, let’s clear one thing up. Many so-called freelancers in Japan are actually misclassified by employers, often on purpose. They…
Leap into Autumn with Organising Training
The leaves are turning, and so can your workplace. October dates for the Individual Organising Training are now open! Learn…
When Crime Pays: Japan’s Social Insurance Enforcement Charade
Imagine if the only penalty for dangerous speeding was being told to slow down. No fines, no licence points, no…
Altia Central: Pay a Living Wage! Kyoto Board of Education: Directly Hire ALTs!
On September 24th, we held collective bargaining with dispatch company Altia Central. Our demands were stark and simple: Nobody can…
Labor Bulletin #227
This bulletin contains information on law changes that have either passed, or are being discussed, in parliament, court decisions, and…
Labor Bulletin #226
This bulletin contains information on law changes that have either passed, or are being discussed, in parliament, court decisions, and…
Variable Working Hours: What You Need to Watch For
In recent months, we’ve had a wave of consultations about working hours. Members are being told they must work Saturdays,…