TOKYO: Japan’s lower house on Thursday approved controversial labor reforms that the government has defended as necessary to boost the economy but critics warn could result in more death by overwork. The legislation would scrap hourly overtime pay for some employees while setting overtime caps for others for the first time. The reform’s key feature is letting Japan’s corporate sector hire select, highly paid professionals, such as currency traders and consultants, on contracts which include no overtime pay. The law contains the first legal caps on overtime, setting an annual limit of 360 hours for normal cases, and up to 720 hours for “temporary” and “special” cases. Abe’s government argues the reforms are necessary to respond to the challenge of an ageing and shrinking population.

Source: Manila Times May 31, 2018 14:26 UTC