Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2010, published 100th ILC session (2011)

Hygiene (Commerce and Offices) Convention, 1964 (No. 120) - Japan (Ratification: 1993)

The Committee notes that the Government has no legislative change to report. It also notes the responses provided by the Government regarding effect given to Articles 5 and 6(1) of the Convention. The Committee also notes the comments from the Japanese Trade Union Confederation (JTUC–RENGO) attached to the report and the Government’s response thereto. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on relevant laws and regulations giving effect to the Convention.

Article 5 of the Convention. Consultation with representative organizations of employers and workers. The Committee notes the Government’s response to its previous comments. The Committee notes the JTUC–RENGO’s comment that some 80 per cent of workplaces in the commercial and retailing industries consists of small-scale units which are required to establish health committees, the labour–management consultation body called for at workplaces with 50 or more workers. JTUC–RENGO calls upon the Government to expand the requirement of the establishment of health committees to workplaces with 30 or more workers in order to ensure safety and health measures in small-sized enterprises. The Committee notes that the Government in its response refers to article 23-2 of the Industrial Safety and Health Ordinance which provides that, in workplaces with less that 50 or more workers, employers are still legally required to consult with workers on OSH matters. The Government adds that efforts are made to ensure that this provision is properly applied. The Committee requests the Government to provide further information on how consultations in accordance with Article 5, are organized in practice in small and medium-sized enterprises.