A government advisory body discussing changes to working hours and an increase in overtime pay has become bogged down in opposition from both companies and labor groups.
The Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry wants a bill to revise the Labor Standards Law ready by the end of the year so it can submit it to the next regular Diet session, in the new year. But at present, no one even knows when the Labor Policy Council will have its next meeting.
The government is proposing that high-earning white-collar workers no longer have regulated working hours. Under this system, people will not be able to claim overtime. This idea is being resisted by labor groups.