Dog training company pays unpaid wages

Japan Press Weekly

Japan Press Service Co., Ltd. is the only news agency providing information of progressive, democratic movements in Japan

Dog training company pays unpaid wages

A dog training school on September 21 at the Tokyo District Court reached a settlement with a dog trainer and agreed to pay him 1.2 million yen in unpaid wages.

This lawsuit was filed by dog trainer, Hino Eiji.

Between March 25, 2007 and March 31, 2008, Hino worked as a trainer at the dog training school, which is run by THISTLE HOUSE CO, Ltd. in Tokyo. He was assigned to drive dogs to and from the school, to dispose of dogs’ waste, and to assist other trainers to train dogs. When the school was busy, he worked through the nights.

However, Hino was unable to receive extra pay for overtime and was paid only 100,000 yen to 130,000 yen a month. The reason for this according to the company was that Hino was considered to be an on-the-job trainee.

At the time when Hino worked at the school, Tokyo’s regional minimum hourly wage was 719 yen in 2007 and 739 yen in 2008. This means that Hino’s wages were lower than the Tokyo’s legal minimum wage.

Hino joined the Tokyo Metropolitan Youth Union requesting the company to recognize him as a regular trainer and to make up for the difference between the minimum wage and his wage. Because the company refused to accept his request, Hino in February 2009 filed a lawsuit with the Tokyo District Court.

At the September 21 news conference, Hino said, “I couldn’t have attempted the struggle alone. I’d like to thank my union and its members for their support and encouragement.”

- Akahata, September 22, 2010