Government decides “Action plan for the realization of work style reform”

At the 10th Meeting of the Council for the Realization of Work Style Reform (comprising union and industry representatives as well as experts, chaired by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe) on March 28th, Japan’s “Action Plan for the Realization of Work Style Reform” was approved. The Action Plan covers initiatives including measures to reduce working hours by introducing overtime regulation with penalties for violation, and the preparation of legislative rules and guidelines to ensure the effectiveness of equal pay for equal work. From now on, steps will be taken to amend relevant laws and draw up guidelines with a view to executing this plan, following deliberation by the Labor Policy Council, in line with the roadmap incorporated in the Action Plan.