MHLW panel splits over exceptions to a 13-day consecutive-work limit; non-regular jobs reach 21.36 million
Employer and labour members of the MHLW labour conditions subcommittee disagree on exceptions to a cap on more than 13 days of consecutive work. Non-regular employees rose 260,000 to 21.36 million in July to September.
At the 30 October meeting of the MHLW labour conditions subcommittee, members discussed a ban on working more than 13 days in a row. Employer members accept the need but want firms to choose their own exceptions and health measures; labour members want penalties and legally limited exceptions.
Why it matters: The rule is still being shaped. Check where your rosters, shift swaps or project peaks run past 13 days, and whether those cases could be justified as exceptions.
The detailed Labour Force Survey for July to September shows 37.44 million regular employees, up 220,000 and the 14th straight quarterly rise, and 21.36 million non-regular, up 260,000. Unemployed people numbered 1.92 million, down 40,000, but those out of work for a year or more rose 110,000 to 590,000.
Why it matters: The market is still absorbing workers, but long-term unemployment is growing. Expect a mix of tight hiring for experienced staff and a larger pool of long-term jobseekers.
Tokyo Labour Bureau reported on its FY2025 corrective guidance under the Freelance Act. Failure to set up harassment-prevention arrangements stood out among working-environment violations, ahead of items such as false recruitment information, with IT firms prominent.
Why it matters: If you hire freelancers, especially in IT, check that your harassment policy and contact point cover them as well as employees.
The Japan Telework Association has asked the LDP, in its budget and tax requests, to consider a telework-specific deemed working hours system. It says the current off-site version, for when hours are hard to calculate, does not fit ICT-monitored remote work, and proposes opt-in where labour and management agree not to track hours.
Why it matters: This is a lobbying request, not a plan. Remote-work policies built on off-site deemed hours may face change if it gains traction, so watch the labour conditions subcommittee.
Compiled each weekday morning with AI assistance from the reports linked under each story; summaries are ours, the reporting is theirs. Check the source before acting on anything here. Corrections: editor@hardestmarket.com.
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