For overtime and other agreements, the elected employee representative must have the support of the majority of employees in the workplace…

…however, to the best of our knowledge, this rule is only being adhered to by Doshisha Kori. Both universities, Doshisha International Academy Elementary School, and Doshisha International School Kyoto are not following this rule. Doshisha has simply appointed individuals as “employee representatives” without having the support of the majority of workplace workers, explaining that it is impossible for the majority of employees to vote. In other words, Doshisha considers this to be “unavoidable”. Agreements signed by unqualified “employee representatives” are invalid.

Doshisha Against Job Security & Unlimited Term Contracts?

Under the Labour Contract Law, when employment contracts are renewed for over five years, the contract can be converted into an “unlimited term contract” which provides employment stability for those known in Japanese as “irregular workers”. However, both Doshisha universities have forcibly applied a law intended for research personnel to non-research part-time
allowing Doshisha to hold off granting unlimited term contracts until the eleventh year. Furthermore, Doshisha regulations say that those who started working after 31 March 2016, are capped at ten years of employment. In other words, part-time instructors who started working from the 2016academic year will never become eligible for an unlimited term contract.

Questionable Wages for Chaperoning Overnight Field Trips at Doshisha International Academy Elementary School

Teachers at Doshisha International Academy Elementary School have raised concerns about whether appropriate wages are being provided for roles involving chaperoning and assisting during overnight field trips.
In a past Supreme Court case teachers demanded overtime pay for their responsibilities during these field trips, the court’s ruling was explicit: “Chaperoning and assisting during field trips carry significant responsibilities, encompassing the achievement of educational outcomes for children and students, risk prevention, and post-risk measures. These duties entail enduring mental and physical tension, resulting in fatigue, leaving no room to escape the obligation to pay for overtime.“
Let’s strive for a fair resolution.