ID :
17684
Mon, 09/01/2008 - 13:26
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/17684
The shortlink copeid
Japan Ruling Camp Eyeing Doubling Minimum Overtime Premium Rate
Tokyo, Sept. 1 (Jiji Press)--Japan's ruling coalition is planning to submit a bill to double the minimum overtime premium rate in the extraordinary Diet session from Sep. 12, aiming to prevent firms from forcing employees to work long hours.
The Liberal Democratic Party and its junior coalition partner New Komeito are now in a final stage of negotiation on the bill calling for a rise in the minimum rate to 50 pct from the current 25 pct for overtime exceeding 60 hours a month, sources familiar with the matter said.
The LDP initially hoped to apply a higher premium rate to more than 80 hours of extra work.
But the plan drew backlash from not only the opposition camp but New Komeito, because the risk of death from overwork will significantly increase if monthly overtime goes beyond 80 hours on average, the sources said.
As a result, the LDP and New Komeito in June this year agreed to consider a premium rate hike for workers with more than 60 hours of overtime.
But cost-conscious corporate managers are likely to oppose the minimum overtime pay increase plan at a time when the economy is significantly slowing down, the sources noted.
The Liberal Democratic Party and its junior coalition partner New Komeito are now in a final stage of negotiation on the bill calling for a rise in the minimum rate to 50 pct from the current 25 pct for overtime exceeding 60 hours a month, sources familiar with the matter said.
The LDP initially hoped to apply a higher premium rate to more than 80 hours of extra work.
But the plan drew backlash from not only the opposition camp but New Komeito, because the risk of death from overwork will significantly increase if monthly overtime goes beyond 80 hours on average, the sources said.
As a result, the LDP and New Komeito in June this year agreed to consider a premium rate hike for workers with more than 60 hours of overtime.
But cost-conscious corporate managers are likely to oppose the minimum overtime pay increase plan at a time when the economy is significantly slowing down, the sources noted.
