A Japanese train driver who had his wages docked by 43 yen (28p) over a one-minute delay is suing his bosses for more than 2.2million yen (£14,300).
According to the plan, the worker would transport an empty train to Okayama Station (in the south) on June 18. However, when he was to be replaced by another driver, he found the wrong platform.
He raced to get to the right platform, but due to an error the train was delayed for one minute. This caused the West Japan Railway Company(JR West), to subtract 85 yen (55.6p) from his July paypacket.
JR West claimed that the delay of two minutes was ‘no labor performed’ and justified a wage deduction.
JR West was able to decrease the time delay to only one minute and reduce the penalty to 43 yen (28p) when the driver reported the matter to Okayama Labor Standards Inspection Office.
However, the employee refused the deduction, insisting that there was no interruption to the timetables due to the fact that the train had been empty.
Although the male worker was supposed to take an empty train to Okayama Station, he ended up arriving at the wrong platform as a result of taking over from another driver (file photograph).
West Japan Rail Company mentioned its “no work no pay principle” as the reason behind the cut in pay. It said that it applies to everyone who shows up late to work. (Pictured at Okayama Station).
Driver accused company of using wage cuts to’sanctions’ human error. He also stated that one small mistake should not be considered a breach of contract. (file photo).
He decided to take his case to the Okayama District Court in March, and is now seeking compensation of 43 yen (28p) for the one-minute delay penalty, 13 yen (0.085p) in overtime created by the delay and 2.2 million yen (£14,300) for ‘mental anguish’.
JR West stated its “no-work, no-pay principle” was the motivating factor behind the reduction in pay. This is said to apply to any worker who comes late or does not show up for work.
According to the driver, wage cuts were used by the company as “sanctions” against human error. He also stated that one small mistake should not be considered a breach of contract.
Japan has many social media users who criticized Japan’s lack of freedom when it comes running its railway services.
One wrote: ‘Everyone makes mistakes — wage cuts shouldn’t be made unless it’s a big deal.
“If this happens, wages will be cut due to human error in other industries.”
Another stated that Japan is known for its lack of flexibility. The goal isn’t to be highly productive.
Another added, “If you are a crewmember, it is often stated that if there’s a delay of 1 minute or more, then you will be considered an accident.”
Japan is home to one of most reliable railroads in the world. Therefore, it’s very uncommon for any train to leave at a time other than that scheduled.
In 2017, one train company apologised for the ‘severe inconvenience’ caused when a service departed 20 seconds early.
Japan’s railway system is one of the most reliable in the world. It is very rare that a train departs at an alternate time than the scheduled departure (file photo).
The Tsukuba Express train from Tokyo, Metropolitan Intercity Railway Company was scheduled to depart at 9:44 AM.
The train left instead at 9:43.40. This prompted an official apology from the company on its website.
It read: ‘On November 14, at approximately 9:44 a.m., a northbound Metropolitan Intercity Railway Company (main office in Tokyo, Chiyoda Ward, President & CEO Koichi Yugi) train left Minami Nagareyama Station roughly 20 seconds earlier than the time indicated on the timetable.
“We deeply regret the inconvenience caused to our customers.”
Company blamed crew members for not performing the departure operation and adequately checking the departure time.
According to the company, no customer complained about Minami Nagareyama Station being so early, it’s just north Tokyo.
“We trained the crew in the basics of preventing recurrence,” the statement said before saying: “That’s all.”