July 7, 2019

Akahata on July 7 reported that in response to a Diet question by Japanese Communist Party member of the House of Councilors Kira Yoshiko, the Labor Ministry has strengthened its efforts to support job-hunting students suffering from sexual harassment by male employees at companies they express interest in.

In May, Kira in an Upper House Labor Committee meeting urged the Labor Ministry to take measures to address the serious situation in which many job-seeking students face sexual harassment, such as misconduct during one-on-one contact with corporate recruiters, mainly employed male alumni, and female students. At that time, the committee was discussing a bill to tighten rules on sexual harassment in the workplace, which was later enacted.

The Labor Ministry last month updated its webpage to announce that prefectural labor bureaus will provide support for those who experience sexual harassment during their job-seeking activities and take appropriate action.

Concerning this announcement, Kira said, “This is one step forward toward helping students who are sexually harassed during their job-hunting activities. I will keep working to realize a legal ban on all forms of harassment and push the government to ratify the recently-adopted ILO anti-harassment treaty.”

Japan Institute for Labour Policy and Training Vice Senior Researcher Naito Shino said that the recently-enacted bill on anti-sexual harassment does not oblige employers to take measures to prevent such acts against job-seeking students. Naito said that Kira’s Diet deliberation enabled victimized students to have access to administrative support, which is a big step forward.

Past related articles:
> Teachers’ unions survey reveals exposure of high school students to unjust practices in job-hunting activities [May 11, 2019]
> Abe turns his back on measures to eliminate workplace harassment [January 30, 2019]