Nonregular workers should be given bonuses equivalent to what regular employees doing comparable jobs receive, according to a draft guideline compiled as part of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's drive to establish equal pay for equal work.

The guideline — to be submitted Tuesday to a panel on workplace reform headed by Abe — forbids discriminatory treatment based on employment status. Regardless of employment type, in principle, employers must pay a comparable basic salary and bonus to workers with the same years of service, ability and performance, the draft says.

The government is scheduled to begin work on revising related laws in January and bills could be submitted to the Diet as early as next fall. The guideline, which is not legally binding, would take effect if the bills are passed.