Labor Policy

1
Labor Policy

• Keiichiro HAMAGUCHI

2
Chapter 2

• Labor Market Policy

3
Section 5

• Vocational Training
• and Youth Policy

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(1) Vocational Training Policy
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From apprenticeshipto in-house training

• 1911 Factory Law provided rules on
  apprenticeship.
• 1938 Skilled Workers Training Order obliged
  companies training of employees.
• ILO Recommendation No. 57 on Vocational Training
  adopted in 1939
• 1947 Labor Standards Law prohibited exploitation
  of apprentice and trainee.

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(b) Vocational trainingand trade skill test

• 1958 Vocational Training Law combined in-house
  training with public vocational training.
• The Law introduced trade skill test system.
• 1969 VT Law put in-house training under
  prefectural governors.
• ILO Recommendation No.117 on Vocational Training
  adopted in 1962.

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(c) Employment stability policy and in-house
training

• 1974 Employment Insurance Law headed for
  employment stabilization (implying in-house
  training).
• 1978 revised VT Law advocated employers
  obligation on training.
• 1985 Human Resources Development Promotion Law
  recognized on-the job training (OJT) as in-house
  training.
• ILO Convention No.142 on Vocational Guidance and
  Vocational Training in the Development of Human
  Resources adopted in 1975.

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(d) Voluntary Human Resource Development

• Focus shifted from in-house training to voluntary
  training (self enlightenment).
• 1997 revised HRDP Law declared Career is
  property.
• 1998 Educational Training Benefits are paid to
  workers who take training course (benefit rate
  80 down to 40 in 2003).

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(e) Support of Career Development

• 2001 revised HRDP Law encouraged voluntary
  initiatives on career designs.
• 2004 ILO Recommendation No.195 on Human Resources
  Development advocated life-long learning.
• 2006 revised HRDP Law introduced Japanese dual
  system (combination of workplace training and
  classroom education).
• 2007 Jobs Card System may facilitate employment
  of freeters and single mothers.

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(2) Youth Policy
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(a) Protection of Minors

• 1911 Factory Law banned child labor under 12,
  restricted working time and banned night work of
  age 12-15.
• 1923 Industrial Minimum Age Law banned child
  labor under 14 based on ILO Convention No.5.
• 1947 Labor Standards Law set minimum age at 15
  based on ILO Convention No.59, restricted
  overtime, night work and dangerous work age of
  age 15-18.

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(b) Employment Placement of New Graduates

• 1947 Employment Security Law put placement for
  students by schools under permit.
• 1949 revised ES Law relaxed it.
• PESOs deal with junior high students.
• Schools deal with senior high students.
• Smooth transition from school to work

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(c) Support of Career Development of Youth

• Young non-regular workers (freeters) and inactive
  (NEET) are increasing.
• Four Ministers set Youth Independence and
  Challenge Plan.
• Junior Internship (work experience for high
  school students)
• Dual System (training combining school and
  workplace)
• Trial Employment