Japan’s non-regular workers yet to receive compensation for forced leave

Despite having to take forced leave amid the pandemic, many non-regular workers in Japan have yet to receive compensation from their employers. 

A survey conducted in August by the Japan Institute for Labour Policy and Training showed that 33.4% of non-regular workers received no compensation for forced leave, as compared to 14.8% for regular staff.

The survey also showed that 68.3% of non-regular workers had to take forced leave, while 60.8% of regular employees were asked to take leave by their companies. 

Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga has since addressed the issue in parliament on Thursday, pledging that the government will soon allow non-regular workers at large companies to apply for state financial aid as well, according to Kyodo News.

Although businesses are allowed to apply for government subsidies, many firms did not apply for them due to the complicated application process and therefore failed to compensate their employees.

READ: Japan’s youths hit hard by pandemic-led job losses

In the event of forced leave, Japan’s labour law requires companies to pay their staff 60% or more of their wages, regardless of their employment status. However non-regular workers at large firms are currently not eligible for the scheme.