Family of dead Japanese-Brazilian worker sue over hard work

Wednesday 19th November, 04:58 AM JST

GIFU —

The family of a dead Japanese-Brazilian factory worker lodged a 79 million yen damages suit Tuesday against the factory’s operator and staff agency, both in Gifu Prefecture, claiming that they forced him to work long hours, resulting in his death. It is the first lawsuit over the overwork-related death of a foreigner lacking permanent resident status, according to a lawyer representing the family.

According to the complaint filed with the Gifu District Court, the 51-year-old male worker, who had a contract with Toyowork Co, a temporary staff firm based in the city of Kani, died in February 2004 while working at an aircraft parts assembly factory run by Gifu City-based Iwai Industries Co. The family argue that the man worked more than 80 overtime hours a month in the six months prior to his death and that the companies neglected to ensure his safety. In October, the local labor standards supervision office recognized that the worker’s death was work-related.

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5 Comments

franz75 at 07:29 AM JST - 19th November

"80 hours? Regular for more people than you think."

"Hard work? Then leave."

"Case dismissed. Thank you for trying."

Temporary work agencies are modern age slavery.
soldave at 08:55 AM JST - 19th November

No chance they'll let a haafu win a case like this.
pointofview at 09:28 AM JST - 19th November

Very unfortunate. But these problems are a dime a dozen in Japan and nothing is ever done.
Molenir at 12:50 PM JST - 19th November

I think they have a case. 80 hours of overtime a month is excessive. And doing that for 6 months... Companies should just hire more people and distribute the work better, rather then forcing people to work so much overtime.

That said, I agree with soldave. Not a chance they'll win the case.
dennis0bauer at 03:49 PM JST - 19th November

The Judge will laugh only 80 hours? Japanese workers strong they work more overtime