In today’s fast-paced life, everyone is working like a machine. Be it corporate or any other sector, special attention is being paid to work time to increase productivity everywhere.
But this increasing workload is surrounding people’s lives with the shadow of death. Excessive work pressure is pushing people towards early death.
To deal with this serious problem, the Japanese government has started a new initiative. Under this, now employees will have to work only four days a week (Working Week), while the remaining three days they will be able to spend their holidays comfortably.
Why was this step taken?
Every year in Japan, about 54 people lose their lives due to excessive work. This condition is called ‘karoshi’ (death from work) there. The Japanese government has promoted a four-day working week plan to solve this problem, but companies with traditional thinking are obstructing it.
The government first supported this scheme in 2021. According to Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, only 8% of companies give their employees three or more days off a week, while 7% of companies give only one day off. To further this initiative, the government has launched a work style reform campaign. Under this, reducing working hours, flexible worktime and overtime along with increasing annual leaves are being promoted.
Support of companies and government efforts
The government is motivating companies in this direction through free consultation and financial assistance. However, so far the response of companies has not been very good. Only three companies have consulted the government in this regard. A government report states that about 54 people die every year due to overwork, in which heart attack and stroke are the major cases.
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Japan’s working culture
Japan’s working culture puts a lot of pressure on employees to be loyal and sacrifice for their company. Even though 85% of employers provide two days off each week and there are legal restrictions on overtime, it is still common to spend long hours in the office. This change is necessary in view of Japan’s declining birth rate and decreasing working population (which is expected to decrease from 74 million to 45 million by 2065).
Apart from this, 4-day work is done in these countries
– In Canada, dozens of companies work 4 days a week.
– In September 2023, Brazil started a 9-month trial to work 4 days.
– In Belgium, employees now have the right to work four days. However, a 4-day week is usually 4 × 10 hours.
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