National Feb 7, 2021
Retroactive aid payments eyed for big Japanese firms' nonregular workers
"We'll take into consideration a series of requests that were made in the run-up to the emergency declaration," labor minister Norihisa Tamura said.
National Feb 5, 2021
Labor ministry to expand scope of virus relief to cover nonregular workers
The proportion of such workers who did not receive compensation despite being told to take time off due to the pandemic was more than double the figure for regular staff.
Commentary / World | Beyond COVID-19 Jan 5, 2021
by Teresa Ghilarducci
As millions of people actively seek work in 2021, many will find that employers increasingly have the upper hand, particularly in the United States.
National / Crime & Legal Oct 13, 2020
Japan's top court backs no bonus payment for employee on hourly wage
The Supreme Court ruled that treating an employee on a short-term contract with an hourly wage differently to a regular employee was not unreasonable.
National / Social Issues | Regional Voices: Hiroshima Aug 21, 2020
Foreign trainees in Hiroshima face illegal hours and unpaid overtime
Fewer Japanese people want to work in sewing jobs, one industry insider said.
World / Science & Health May 26, 2020
Coronavirus measures 'disastrous' for children, rights group says
The coronavirus pandemic will have a "disastrous" impact on children's rights worldwide, making them more vulnerable to forced labor and underage marriage, a rights group said Tuesday. The economic shock from lockdowns would also leave governments short of money for children's health and education, Dutch ...
National / Social Issues | FOCUS May 18, 2020
Will it deliver? Japan's embattled workers cast wary eye on anti-harassment law
Only large firms will initially be subjected to the law, and the government will not require companies to extend the measures to freelance workers.
Business | FOCUS Apr 29, 2020
Japan's farm and hotel sectors cooperate as pandemic halts entry of foreign labor
by Takuya Okamoto
Under entry controls, 220 workers from China, Indonesia and Myanmar bound for one of the Japan's major cabbage production areas have been unable to enter the country.
Business / Corporate Apr 11, 2020
Tokyo Uber Eats union demands hazard pay and equipment to protect against virus
A labor union representing employees of Uber Technologies Inc.'s food delivery service Uber Eats on Friday called for hazard pay and coronavirus protection for its delivery staff on the front line of the pandemic. Kento Suzuki, vice chairman of the union, which has about 30 ...
National Mar 31, 2020
For Japan's nonregular workers, a weaker safety net as COVID-19 spreads
by Magdalena Osumi
Different conditions from full-time staff creates worries for foreign-language teachers and others.
National Mar 19, 2020
Tokyo Disneyland workers press for wages to be paid through virus shutdown
A labor union for nonregular workers at Tokyo Disneyland on Thursday asked the operator of the major theme park to keep paying staff while the facility remains closed due to the spread of COVID-19. The union said the workers were told by the operator Oriental ...
Issues | LEARNING CURVE Mar 3, 2020
With the coronavirus canceling classes, what are English teachers to do?
by Patrick St. Michel
ALTs and English-language school employees are reporting confusion over what role their employers should play in a possible pandemic.