Rengo will set 'zero unpaid overtime' campaign

The Japanese Trade Union Confederation (Rengo) Central Executive Committee on September 12 decided to launch a campaign to eradicate unpaid overtime as Rengo's most important challenge.

The campaign encourages Rengo-member unions to reach agreements with management on starting-and-finishing times and total working hour, including overtime work.

The campaign also requires a reinforcement of administrative authority, calling on labor standards inspection offices to thoroughly conduct inspections, and to watch over and give administrative advice as well as punitive actions regarding labor conditions.

Behind such all-out efforts are the ongoing long working hours and unpaid overtime work, as well as increasing number of deaths and suicides from overwork. (end)