(Tokyo = Larose.VIP) Correspondent Kyung Soo-hyeon = The Japanese government is pushing to improve the work-family balance environment by allowing office workers with young children before entering elementary school to be exempt from overtime work and expanding childcare leave for men.
According to reports from NHK and Kyodo News on the 11th, the Japanese government adopted amendments to the Childcare and Care Leave Act at the Cabinet meeting on this day. The goal is to pass the National Assembly this year.
Gezo Takemi, Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare of Japan
The current law focuses on office workers with children under the age of 2, but the revised bill includes provisions to expand the scope of the target.
When the amendment goes into effect, the number of office workers who can apply for exemption from overtime work for childcare will increase from ‘before 3 years of age’ to ‘before entering elementary school’ from April next year, based on the child’s age.
In addition, companies are required to have at least two work systems that employees can choose from before their children enter school, such as short-time work, changing work hours, or remote work.
Reasons for ‘nursing leave’ granted up to 5 days per year include attending a child’s entrance ceremony.
In addition, in order to expand parental leave among male office workers, the target of companies that are required to announce usage results will be expanded from the current ‘more than 1,000 employees’ to ‘more than 300 employees.’
In order to prevent job loss to care for the elderly, it is also mandatory for companies to explain systems such as care leave to workers over the age of 40.
Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare Kezo Takemi explained the purpose of improving the system, saying, “Due to the low birth rate and aging population, the realization of flexible work methods is required.”
evan@yna.co.kr
Report to KakaoTalk okjebo
