The government submitted to the Diet on Friday a labor reform bill aimed at addressing Japan’s chronic overwork problem, prompting a countermeasure by opposition parties aiming to come up with their own alternative bills. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s government views the reform of working practices as its most
The government submitted to the Diet on Friday a labor reform bill aimed at addressing Japan’s chronic overwork problem, prompting a countermeasure by opposition parties aiming to come up with their own alternative bills.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s government views the reform of working practices as its most important agenda item in the current Diet session and is seeking passage of the bill by the end of the session through June 20.
The opposition forces claim that the envisioned labor reform legislation could exacerbate long working hours and lead to an increase in “karoshi,” or death by overwork.
Diet sources say that deliberations over the labor reform bill may not start within the month because of a tight schedule for the lower house’s health, labor and welfare committee due to other issues.
The bill was approved by the cabinet earlier in the day.
