Monday, February 05, 2007

temp workers in japan article

Quite a good article on Temp workers in Japan. Eventhough there is no real security, there is freedom.

Super temp worker who saves day is a nonconformist heroine
By PHILIP BRASOR

Prior to the start of the current Diet session, Prime Minister ShinzoAbe said that the ruling coalition would not submit previouslyannounced bills to revise the Labor Standards Law. The move was seenas being cautionary, since there will be an Upper House election inJuly and the bills would have contained the so-called white-collarexemption, which says companies no longer have to pay overtime to acertain class of office worker. It is thought the exemption wouldanger salarymen voters.This assumption presupposes the obvious, that salarymen resent workingovertime for free, and opponents of the exemption refer to it with anumber of sardonic nicknames: the "pin-hane (rake-off)" or "fubarai(non-payment)" bills, the "work-more measure" and the"death-from-overwork-promotion" rule. The ruling coalition ignoredthese snipes by concentrating on what it saw as the exemption's socialbenefits: company employees can spend more time at home with theirfamilies rather than at the office.Though the business world supports the white-collar exemption, it justas strongly opposes the other revisions being considered for the bill,
increase in the minimum wage and a ban on age limits in hiring.These revisions would mainly benefit workers who aren\'t full time andwhose increasing numbers in the corporate workplace have stifledsalaries across the board, according to a report released last week bythe labor ministry. In a debate on NHK last Sunday morning, a SocialDemocratic Party politician asked the Liberal Democratic Party\'sSecretary General Hidenao Nakagawa about this trend. Nakagawa againtried to emphasize the social benefits. "Many people nowadays preferto work in their own way," he said, specifically referring to contractemployees. The temp boom is merely a reflection of society\'s desirefor greater freedom of choice.This thinking feeds into the idea that temp workers are happy-go-luckyfree spirits who work only when they want to and enjoy their livesmore than full-timers do. It\'s a myth that\'s convenient forcorporations, who don\'t have to pay benefits or social insurance fortemps and who got the government to liberalize the labor laws in 1999to allow virtually any type of job to be contracted out.The myth is addressed in Nihon TV\'s drama series "Haken no Hinkaku"(Wednesdays, 10 p.m.). Haken, which means "dispatch," is the wordgenerally used to describe temporary contract workers, and hinkakumeans "dignity." The protagonist, Haruko Ohmae (Ryoko Shinohara), isdescribed as a "super haken," a temp whose office skills are sosharply developed that client companies ask for her by name.Haruko is a super haken in more ways than one. While she can whip up aspreadsheet faster than you can say "Excel" and knows how to brew amean cup of ocha, she also knows her rights. She\'s out of the officeexactly at six o\'clock. "Overtime is not in my dictionary," she says", including stricter penalties for labor-regulation violations, anincrease in the minimum wage and a ban on age limits in hiring.


These revisions would mainly benefit workers who aren't full time andwhose increasing numbers in the corporate workplace have stifledsalaries across the board, according to a report released last week bythe labor ministry. In a debate on NHK last Sunday morning, a SocialDemocratic Party politician asked the Liberal Democratic Party'sSecretary General Hidenao Nakagawa about this trend. Nakagawa againtried to emphasize the social benefits. "Many people nowadays preferto work in their own way," he said, specifically referring to contractemployees. The temp boom is merely a reflection of society's desirefor greater freedom of choice.This thinking feeds into the idea that temp workers are happy-go-luckyfree spirits who work only when they want to and enjoy their livesmore than full-timers do. It's a myth that's convenient forcorporations, who don't have to pay benefits or social insurance fortemps and who got the government to liberalize the labor laws in 1999 to allow virtually any type of job to be contracted out.The myth is addressed in Nihon TV's drama series "Haken no Hinkaku"(Wednesdays, 10 p.m.). Haken, which means "dispatch," is the wordgenerally used to describe temporary contract workers, and hinkakumeans "dignity." The protagonist, Haruko Ohmae (Ryoko Shinohara), isdescribed as a "super haken," a temp whose office skills are sosharply developed that client companies ask for her by name.Haruko is a super haken in more ways than one. While she can whip up aspreadsheet faster than you can say "Excel" and knows how to brew amean cup of ocha, she also knows her rights. She's out of the officeexactly at six o'clock. "Overtime is not in my dictionary," she says leave, even if they have nothing to do.

The full-timers resent it when Haruko marches home after eight hoursbecause it indicates she is not beholden to the company. It\'s impliedshe has better things to do. At night she is a flamenco dancer at aSpanish theme bar, and between three-month work assignments shetravels to Spain to polish her art and language skills.But beneath Haruko's extreme no-nonsense exterior is a broken heart.She was laid off from a full-time position when the company she workedfor was downsized, and it\'s implied that her talents compensate forher loss of identity as a member of a corporate family. Every week,she reveals in superhero fashion another impossible skill -- operatingheavy machinery, speaking Russian, preparing fancy seafood -- that shehas picked up during her years as a temp.This contrasts humorously with the relative lack of skills displayedby the full-timers at the food-service company where Haruko iscurrently contracted to work. They look down on the haken workers asan inferior species, but in every episode Haruko saves the day. At onepoint, the middle-aged department manager who hired her reprimands hisyoung staff for the way they treat the temps. "In order to reducecosts we need haken with skills," he says. The contract worker issomething the full-time worker must accept, not only as an economicnecessity, but as an equal partner.This is where the "dignity" comes in, and while the show emphasizespride in accomplishment over financial reward it also makes the casethat you can\'t have the former without the latter. Haruko commands alarger wage than other haken because she brings a professionalattitude to her work. She does her job and expects to be compensatedfairly for it. She wants no part of the corporate office culture and",coldly.

Full-timers are expected to hang around until their superiorsleave, even if they have nothing to do.The full-timers resent it when Haruko marches home after eight hoursbecause it indicates she is not beholden to the company. It's impliedshe has better things to do. At night she is a flamenco dancer at aSpanish theme bar, and between three-month work assignments shetravels to Spain to polish her art and language skills.But beneath Haruko's extreme no-nonsense exterior is a broken heart.She was laid off from a full-time position when the company she workedfor was downsized, and it's implied that her talents compensate forher loss of identity as a member of a corporate family. Every week,she reveals in superhero fashion another impossible skill -- operatingheavy machinery, speaking Russian, preparing fancy seafood -- that shehas picked up during her years as a temp.This contrasts humorously with the relative lack of skills displayedby the full-timers at the food-service company where Haruko iscurrently contracted to work. They look down on the haken workers asan inferior species, but in every episode Haruko saves the day. At onepoint, the middle-aged department manager who hired her reprimands hisyoung staff for the way they treat the temps. "In order to reducecosts we need haken with skills," he says. The contract worker issomething the full-time worker must accept, not only as an economicnecessity, but as an equal partner.This is where the "dignity" comes in, and while the show emphasizespride in accomplishment over financial reward it also makes the casethat you can't have the former without the latter. Haruko commands alarger wage than other haken because she brings a professionalattitude to her work. She does her job and expects to be compensatedfairly for it. She wants no part of the corporate office culture and
her heart will likely melt by episode 12, but for the time being sheis an island of stoical purpose in a sea of unproductive workers. Whenthe manager offers Haruko a full-time position, she curtly refuses.The company employees are so shocked, they fall over.Haruko is a caricature of the haken ideal. The reality for tempworkers is more complicated than the situation portrayed in "Haken noHinkaku," but there\'s something refreshing, even radical, aboutHaruko\'s refusal to adhere to the mores of the corporate workplace,where working overtime is seen as a sign of conformity even when it\'swork that could have been done during normal hours. As the primeminister implied when he decided to shelve the white-collar exemptionfor the time being, even the most loyal salaryman expects to get paidfor hanging around.", i
ts politics of human networking. According to the laws of TV dramas,her heart will likely melt by episode 12, but for the time being sheis an island of stoical purpose in a sea of unproductive workers. Whenthe manager offers Haruko a full-time position, she curtly refuses.The company employees are so shocked, they fall over.Haruko is a caricature of the haken ideal. The reality for tempworkers is more complicated than the situation portrayed in "Haken noHinkaku," but there's something refreshing, even radical, aboutHaruko's refusal to adhere to the mores of the corporate workplace,where working overtime is seen as a sign of conformity even when it'swork that could have been done during normal hours. As the primeminister implied when he decided to shelve the white-collar exemptionfor the time being, even the most loyal salaryman expects to get paidfor hanging around.

lucky lady


I had the pleasure of going to visit the temple near Daimon today and pulled out a lucky fortune. I got the otafuku, which is the lucky lady. I checked on the net and this is what is said about her. I thought it was really interesting and felt that it was really appropriate for me, as her luck and ambience is what I need in my life :-)
The 3rd of Feb was Setsubun and I also did the bean throwing in my apartment. I found some beans and donned on the Oni (monster) mask and threw around the beans, wishing the oni to go out and good luck to come in. It coincides with the Otafuku too since she represents Spring and usually appears after Setsubun! So that is another small coincidence. I did eat some beans but forgot to eat the number of my age, although I think I may have consumed enough for my age - give or take a few less years off my real age..! hee hee..
The Shinto goddess of mirth and sensuality, ever-smiling Otafuku is believed to have restored light to the world-by doing a humorous dance. It was comedienne who saved the world! Otafuku is also known as Okame and Uzume, in more recent times she has become an entertainer who performs during the lunar New Year celebration.In Japanese theater she represents an abundantly happy woman who brings good fortune to any man she marries. Because she represents luck, laughter and happiness (fuku in Japanese)
Otafuku is a much-beloved deity here in Japan. She's represented as a plump, cheerful woman who's not quite put together (her hair is mussed or the combs are falling out or her kimono isn't quite so), but she's always depicted as smiling (possibly laughing) and is so charming you can't help but smile back. It's as though you know you can always get a hug or a kind word or tea from her. You may have known certain women in your life who were like that-a great-aunt who had seemingly bottomless cookie jar and would let you help yourself, the godmother who was plump and gave the best hugs, the crazy college friend who could always make you laugh, even at the worst times--people who offered kindness and comfort and made you feel happy and lucky and loved.
The optimism of the deity is indicated in a temple explanation leaflet. "Otafuku assures that failure always becomes success, that misfortune becomes good fortune, that one's heart's desire will be accomplished. That is why she is called Otafuku -- "Much Felicity."According the Japanese, spring officially starts the day after Setsubun.
Look towards the future with brightness,
and the light will show you the way.
Me

Friday, February 02, 2007

headaches and sore shoulders


Friendly beach, Tasmania

Oh dear, I hope I am not succumbing to being a typical Japanese worker - have been getting really sore shoulders and headaches lately.. perhaps too much work at the desk?.. hmm.. wouldn't think so since I do take regular breaks and make sure my tea is filled up in my mug all the time. Guess I just need to do more exercise and try and not go to my massage therapist as much. However, did end up makgin a booking for a massage tonight which may be followed by a restorative yoga session after that. Depending if I am up for that or not. Probably will try and find an excuse not to go, but for this Friday night, I have no other plans - or hot dates (hahaha!) so will just have a very relaxing evening and look after my mind and body.

Tomorrow, will go to the pool and will try and swim a few lengths and some long stretching. Will have Japanese lesson on Sunday (really not my ideal thing for a Sunday at a Japanese language school), but my tickets are expiring in ten days, so really it is either waste them or use them. I choose to use them. Have to make the most of that. Guess I won't be going back there unless I lose my great Japanese language teacher that I have now. She is awesome and has become a great friend indeed. Will catch up with very good friend N after the lessons. May be a trip to Ginza is on the cards too since I have run out of my favourite green tea (Uogashi). Great small intimate cafe. Thanks to good friend M for introducing that to me. It is one of my favourite places to go and experience good tea in Tokyo! Along with Mariage close by.

Must decide on a topic theme for my thesis. I have chosen to focus on the linguistic side of things, however, it is proving harder than I thought to come up with a topic. Young Japanese people's language.. ho hum.. Not that excited about writing 30,000 words on that, but maybe that is the best option? I would like to write about the intricities of the speech markers etc but it seems that it may be hard to stretch it out to 30,000 words. Any advice or comments anyone on that?..

Next week, Theory Family sale which I am looking forward to going to. (Family just means all the brands that are connected to the main brand). Will update my winter wardrobe for next year. Do need some good suits and would like another long beautiful wool/cashmere caramel coloured long coat.. But will see what is on offer. Do have a bit of a budget to watch...

Weekend almost upon us. Keep checking in on my blog, as I am always so happy to see that people do check it. Definitely makes a difference.

Keep positive thoughts in your mind
Keep negative thoughs out of your mind
and the rest will follow...
me

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Thursday, February 01, 2007

warm weather

One of my favourite places, near Wineglass Bay, Tasmania


There has been quite a distinctive change in the weather here in Tokyo and friend D told me that it hasn't been this warm (for January) for 50 years.. The temperature climbing over 10 degrees.. at this rate in another 50 years, will there ever be a winter again??! For me, I say yeah, since I don't like the cold, however, I do love cozying up at home and enjoying hot cocoa's and firelit nights...

Good night last night and was laughing constantly for 2 hours by friend B. How on earth he comes up with witty comments is beyond me, but had all of us in tears from his amphorisms (is that the right word I wonder..)

Has been a busy week, yoga, massage, and have a therapy session (balance therapy) to go tonight. Destressing the brain. So am looking forward to that. Mainly to do with stretching, except you don't do anything, it is the therapist that stretches you!

Tomorrow night, maybe some more yoga and a relaxing night watching some DVDs perhaps. Not completely sure at this stage though, so will just see how things work out. Have been feeling I have a lot more energy these days (something to do with my pH level diet and doing a slight cleanse on my liver)?... Anyway feeling great and really motivated, although not so motivated with the work I am doing at the moment involving cancer markers.. ho hum.

Will tune in again tomorrow if I can.

You can always find the good in people,
if you want to.
me