Japan’s government has given the green light to a bill that would improve the working conditions of truck drivers in the face of an anticipated shortage of such workers.
The law would require logistics operators and cargo owners that handle a certain volume of freight to draw up plans to improve their efficiency.
One problem for the drivers is the amount of time they must spend waiting for freight to be loaded and unloaded.
The revision also requires the businesses to regularly report progress of their plans. If efforts are deemed insufficient, the government could admonish or issue correction orders. The businesses could also be fined for non-compliance.
Prime contractors and subcontractors would be required to draw up clear and complete contracts. Compensation for drivers would need to be clearly stated.
The revisions address a government move to tighten rules on overtime from April. The change is expected to worsen the industry’s labor shortage.
A survey by the transport ministry finds that a truck driver’s work day is over 12 hours on average. This includes more than three hours of non-driving tasks, such as waiting for freight.
The government hopes to pass the bill at the current session of the Diet.
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