Labor News 2019
4/12 of Manual for Eliminating Irrational Treatment Difference
The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare released an inspection and review manual for eliminating unreasonable treatment gap between temporary workers and parttime workers. The "Act on the Reform of Working Practices" which is enforced in April 2020 will prohibit unreasonable differences in treatment between each worker. (Application of the Part-Time Fixed-term Labor Law will be in April 2021)
If companies obey this law and bridge the gap between each worker, the company will be recognized by job seekers as a workplace that ensures appropriate treatment and this can leads to securing human resources.
5/31 38% of the workers "have experienced harassment at work"
The Japan Federation of Trade Unions conducted the "Survey on Harassment in the Work World 2019" and published the results.
38% of all respondents answered that they "have experienced harassment at workplace". The most common form of harassment from superiors was "Mental attacks, defamation, and insults", and the most common form of harassment from colleagues was "isolation, exclusion or disregard".
8/2 Standard of Minimum Wage Revision Indication by region
The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare released a report at the 54th Central Minimum Wage Council about the guidelines for regional minimum wage revisions for the current fiscal year.
9/24 Report on AI utilization released - Labour Policy Council
In this report, it is mentioned if AI and other technologies are used effectively in the workplace AI can improve labor productivity and become the foundation for economic growth in a society with a declining population. The conclusion is that if workers can take the initiative in using AI and other technologies, they will be able to create an environment in which they can use their abilities to work more, thereby increasing the pleasantness of each worker and generating consumption, which will lead to a bright future for Japan.
12/24 Pros and Cons of AEON's "NO Masks"
It has been reported that AEON Group has notified its employees not to wear masks during customer service. There are some exceptions, such as the employees who serve customers at the food section, or when you need a mask because of a cold or hay fever. However, there are restrictions such as they need"permission of the boss " to wear a mask. Furthermore, there are some reports that some stores recommend buying disinfectants at their own expense instead of a mask.
12/25 "Mitsubishi Electric" at "Black Company" Awards 2019
In Japan, "Black company"; a Japanese term that indicates a company that exploits its employees is a big problem. There is the "Black Company" Award, which selects companies that have attracted attention to their poor working environments, such as long working hours, power harassment, and sexual harassment. The committee which consists of lawyers and journalists started this award in 2012.
Mitsubishi Electric was selected for the 2019 Grand Prize for two years in a row. Mitsubishi Electric has been sent papers to the Hyogo Prefectural Police on suspicion of a new employee's suicide in August and his boss's instigation of the suicide.