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2013 June 26 - July 2 [LABOR]

8 companies nominated for ‘Black Corporation’ of the Year Award

A citizens’ group combating harsh labor practices, such as excessive long working hours, unpaid overtime, and power harassment, has nominated eight companies for the Black Corporation of the Year Award which is also called the Most Evil Corporation of the Year Award.

An executive committee of the award on June 27 held a news conference at the Labor Ministry office building to announce the candidate list. This is the second award following the first last year. The winner of the award is to be announced on August 11.

The executive committee defines companies who intentionally or knowingly ignore labor laws and/or drive their workers hard by harassment or other aggressive means as “black corporations”.

The eight shortlisted companies include major restaurant chain Watami, a winner of the “Citizens’ Prize” of the 2012 award.

Kawazoe Makoto of the Tokyo Young Contingent Workers’ Union, who is also a member of the committee, at the press conference said, “Although the word ‘black corporation’ is now well known among the general public, there is no sign that their misbehaviors will end. We will make public these companies by means of this event and raise questions about their corporate behavior.”

List of the eight nominees for Black Corporation of the Year 2013
Watami Foodservice Co., Ltd.
Cross Company Inc
Benesse Corporation
Sun Challenge Corporation
Ohsho Food Service Corporation
Seino Transportation Co., Ltd.
Tokyu Hands Inc
National University Corporation Tohoku University

Related past article
> ‘Black Corporation’ Award winner for worst working conditions will run in summer election on LDP ticket [June 7, 2013]