Labour Update Bulletin #159

Feb 26, 2023

This bulletin contains information on law changes that have either passed, or are being discussed, in parliament, court decisions, and other labor issues in Japan that are of interest to activists.

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In this bulletin:

  • 188th Labor Policy Council Labor Conditions Subcommittee Meeting (Documents)
  • Unemployment benefits: shortening of two-month wait time under consideration–PM states clearly, to encourage changing jobs
  • Fewer than half of researchers switch to unlimited-term employment; the rest fear being laid off
  • Four part-time lecturers at Handai sue seeking unlimited employment: Osaka District Court
  • Union makes demand to apply agreement citywide: Fukuoka water meter inspectors’ minimum pay
  • Sharp rise in number of consultations from freelancers: more than 10,000 cases since start of service
  • Tokai University Junior-Senior High School receives citation for non-payment of overtime to teacher: “with club activities, there is almost no time off”
  • QB House hairdressers sue for overtime pay: “the real employer is the company”
  • Real wages decline 0.9% in 2022 due to inflation: first drop in two years
  • Negative impact on pay raises at smaller companies? Toyota renews requests for reduced prices of parts
  • “Not eligible for workers’ compensation”: domestic helpers’ work-style–MHWL does a survey for first time in 60 years
  • Number of foreign workers reaches over 1.82 million, new high record; about one in four are Vietnamese

And more!

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