Japan Press Weekly

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2021 May 19 - 25 [LABOR]

Union workers at Osaka hospital win settlement in lawsuit in dispute over 230 million yen in unpaid overtime wages

In a lawsuit filed by 155 unionized workers at Rinku General Medical Center in Osaka’s Izumisano City in regard to 230 million yen in unpaid overtime wages, the plaintiffs and the hospital on May 20 reached a court-mediated settlement in the Osaka District Court Sakai Branch.

In the settlement, the hospital promised to pay settlement money to the plaintiffs (the amount of the payment was not disclosed). The hospital also guaranteed that it will sincerely follow the labor law enforcement authority’s instructions to end illegal labor practices and provide a safe and secure working environment to hospital staff in compliance with labor laws.

At a press conference after the settlement, union chair Jogen Daisuke said, “In order to provide proper services to patients, it is necessary for the hospital to adhere to labor laws. I hope that the hospital will use the settlement as an opportunity to change its stance and agree to negotiate with the union on an equal footing about labor issues, such as implementing a change in work rules.”

According to the union, the hospital in April 2017 unilaterally changed work rules without consent from the union and imposed pay cuts on workers.