Osaka 2025: preparations for the World Expo are in full swing and the city is dressing up to the nines… A justification for working overtime? Yes, but not without the “Agreement 36”!
In Japan, exceeding the legal working hours (8 hours per day, 40 hours per week) is governed by the Agreement 36 also known as “Saburoku Kyōtei” (36協定).
This agreement is essential for the employer to be able to ask his/her employees to work overtime or on statutory rest days. It is concluded between the employer and a staff representative and then submitted to the local labor inspector.
Beware of Karoshi* … Following the “Hataraki-kata Kaikaku” reforms to reduce overwork, Japanese law imposes strict limits. Overtime is limited to 45 hours per month and 360 hours per year. However, there are exceptions in case of peak of activity or for the research and development sector.
Thus, when the limit of 100 hours per month or 720 hours per year is reached, specific measures to protect the health and well-being of the employee must be followed, such as: medical consultations, a minimum rest period between two assignments, paid leave, etc.
If the employer does not sign a “36協定”or exceeds the limits imposed, this will be seen as a violation of labor law and expose him/her to a penalty ranging from a fine of 300,000 yen to six months’ imprisonment.
In short, all work deserves wages and rest: the rule seems universal… Like the upcoming Expo, which, for the curious, will focus on the theme “Designing tomorrow’s society, imagining our life tomorrow”.
Topics to anticipate for tomorrow?
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