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2023 November 29 - December 5 TOP3 [LABOR]

Starbucks Japan union formed

The Tokyo Metropolitan Youth Union on November 29 held a press conference in the Labor Ministry office building to announce that Starbucks Japan employees formed a “Starbucks Union Japan” and are demanding that the major coffee chain increase workers’ wages and resolve the labor shortage.

Kawabata Soul, in her early 20s, who works as a person with disabilities or as a so-called “Starbucks challenged partner” said, “The company tells us that the individuality of persons with disabilities can shine by working for Starbucks. In reality, however, we are always shorthanded and cannot afford to lose a minute, and we work at low pay.” He said that he works for seven and a half hours a day and earns around 160,000 yen a month. He added, “In conversations with several other Starbucks staff, it turned out that everyone is having a tough making ends meet with a low-paid Starbucks job. So, we decided to form our union so that we can work with peace of mind.”

According to the Youth Union, the multinational chain of coffeehouses told the newly-formed union that the level of wages is commensurate with each task. However, Kawabata said, “I asked the company how it would be possible to live decently in Tokyo with a monthly wage of 160,000 yen. The company representatives could not answer.”