Japan Press Weekly

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2020 November 18 - 24 TOP3 [LABOR]

Teachers' union formed at Yamaha music school

Teachers working for Yamaha Music School formed a music instructors' union on November 19, demanding better working conditions.

Yamaha music instructors are treated as sole proprietors under consignment contracts. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they were unilaterally ordered to take leave and were paid a "consolatory payment" only 20% of what they were paid on average in December last year and January this year.

They said they will demand through the union that the company improve standards for remunerations, pay compensation for coronavirus-related/sick/injury leave, and pay for extra work other than lessons.

A female instructor who became the head of the union said, "Many of us were not able to raise our voices and I felt frustrated about it. I'd like now to support other teachers who have something to say to Yamaha Music School."

Another instructor said, "Currently, we are paid only for lessons, not for meetings, preparations for students' recitals, and school events. Young teachers come to work here but soon give up."

Lawyer of the union Shimizu Akihiro said, "Many solo proprietors and contract-based workers think from the beginning that they won't be able to do anything. However, their union will be able to find solutions through collective-bargaining negotiations with the company."

In the Yamaha Group, English teachers formed their union and won their demand for direct employment.

Past related article:
> English teachers for children win direct employment by private academy [June 13, 2020]