Japan Press Weekly

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2021 July 7 - 13 TOP3 [LABOR]

Teachers at Yamaha English Academy become company employees

Teachers at Yamaha English Academy which is operated nationwide by Yamaha Music Japan can become "company employees" if they wish. Shimizu Hitomi, head of the Yamaha English Teachers' Union, reported this at a press conference on July 7.

Yamaha English teachers used to be "sole proprietors" under consignment contracts. They were neither paid for overtime work nor covered by social insurance programs. They worked under instructions from Yamaha regarding work hours, work location, teaching guidelines, and teaching materials. Virtually, they were "employment income earners".

Several teachers who questioned their status formed a union and held collective negotiations with Yamaha 21 times. As a result, they reached an agreement as follows: They can change their contracts to employment contracts if they wish; they can obtain indefinite-term employment contracts after working one year; all new teachers are company employees; they have the same rights as regular company employees in regard to childrearing, nursing-care, and other caregiving systems; they have paid holidays, paid sick leave, and paid special leave; and they are paid for extra work.

According to the union, they will press Yamaha to improve working conditions, including an increase in their wages.

Shimizu said, "We formed a union and were able to achieve concrete results with help from supporters. We will continue calling for a better workplace environment at Yamaha so that all employees can work without undue worries."

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