Expansion of Discretionary Labor System Coverage and Keidanren
The June version (June 7, 2021) of Keidanren's (Japan Business Federation) "Thinking on Immediate Issues" stated "expansion of the scope of the discretionary labor system," but the July version (July 5, 2021) states "expansion of the scope of the discretionary labor system, premised on the thorough implementation of health and welfare measures." In other words, the phrase "premised on the thorough implementation of health and welfare measures" was added.
One can infer that the results of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare's survey on the actual status of the discretionary labor system, published on June 25 (2021), likely had some influence. In other words, the fact that they had to write "expansion of the scope of the discretionary labor system, premised on the thorough implementation of health and welfare measures" suggests that the discretionary labor system carries a risk of impairing health. Nevertheless, I cannot understand why Keidanren continues to demand the expansion of the scope (application) of the discretionary labor system.
Thinking on Immediate Issues (June version)
○ Keidanren "Thinking on Immediate Issues (June 2021 version)" "5. Work Style Reform and Human Resource Development"
(Omitted) Focusing on improving worker engagement, we will promote the deepening of work style reform and accelerate efforts toward diversity and inclusion, which are the source of innovation. As part of this, in order to promote work styles that are not bound by place or time, we will examine issues regarding personnel evaluation and labor management concerning telework, and aim to realize new working hour systems suitable for autonomous and proactive work styles, such as expanding the scope of the discretionary labor system.
Thinking on Immediate Issues (June 2021, Keidanren)
Thinking on Immediate Issues (July version)
○ Keidanren "Thinking on Immediate Issues (July 2021 version)" "5. Work Style Reform and Human Resource Development"
(Omitted) Focusing on improving worker engagement, we will promote the deepening of work style reform and accelerate efforts toward diversity and inclusion, which are the source of innovation. As part of this, in order to promote work styles that are not bound by place or time, we will examine issues regarding personnel evaluation and labor management concerning telework, and aim to realize new working hour systems suitable for autonomous and proactive work styles, such as expanding the scope of the discretionary labor system, premised on the thorough implementation of health and welfare measures.
Thinking on Immediate Issues (July 2021, Keidanren)
Keidanren FY2021 Business Policy
○ Keidanren "Aiming for Sustainable Capitalism with a 'New Growth Strategy' - FY2021 Business Policy -" (June 1, 2021) "3. Transformation of Work Styles"
With a view to reviewing the Japanese-style employment system, we aim to realize diverse and flexible work styles that emphasize worker autonomy from the perspective of improving worker engagement and labor productivity. Specifically, we will promote work styles that are not bound by place or time, leading to the further success of diverse people including women, young people, the elderly, people with disabilities, foreigners, and LGBT individuals, and turn diversity into a management strength. We will foster momentum for the early realization of expanding the scope of work subject to the discretionary labor system for planning and professional work and other reviews of labor time legislation, while further promoting side jobs and concurrent positions. In addition, we will examine measures to promote smooth labor mobility to growth industries with an eye on post-(omitted). Furthermore, we will support the expansion of recurrent education through support for the formulation of recurrent programs implemented by universities, etc. (Omitted) Since employment stability funds have been depleted due to the response to the disaster, we will urge the early reconstruction of employment insurance finances through the injection of general financial resources.
Postscript: Keidanren FY2022 Business Policy
○ Keidanren "Practicing Sustainable Capitalism - FY2022 Business Policy -" (June 1, 2022) "3. Transformation of Work Styles"
Promotion of Work Style Transformation, Investment in People, and Educational Reform
・Early realization of expanding the scope of the discretionary labor system, etc., aiming for a review of labor time legislation that enables workers whose working hours and results are not proportional to demonstrate their abilities.
・ We will urge the development of an environment that contributes to smooth labor mobility to growth fields and industries, etc.
・ Aiming to establish a "virtuous cycle of learning and work," we will promote recurrent education and reskilling through industry-academia-government collaboration, as well as student career formation support activities including internships. We will also urge educational reform that responds to the new era.
・ Along with the deepening of work style reform, we will call for the promotion of diversity and inclusion that makes the success of diverse human resources a strength, and the consideration of "in-house employment systems" suitable for the actual circumstances of each company.
・ From the perspective of "investment in people" and "appropriate distribution to workers," we will continue to urge companies to work on wage increases and comprehensive treatment improvements while adhering to the "grand principle of wage determination."
・ We will promote the optimization of transactions through participation in the "Partnership Building Declaration." (Excerpt from Keidanren "Practicing Sustainable Capitalism - FY2022 Business Policy -")
Keidanren "Practicing Sustainable Capitalism - FY2022 Business Policy -"
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