The Protection of Women and Minors

Abstract

Women workers are allowed to do overtime amounting to 2 hours a day, 6 hours a week or 150 hours a year. However, female employees engaged in accountancy may work more than 6 hours’ overtime in a week provided they do not do more than 12 hours in 2 weeks. Women are not allowed to work at night, underground or on the weekly holiday. Exceptionally, in an emergency, they may do extra overtime or holiday work; and it is also generally permitted in agriculture, animal husbandry, medical and service industries, the telephone service and the other jobs specified by an ordinance of the Labour Ministry as harmless to the health and welfare of women. This exception does not, however, apply to women workers under 18 years of age in service industries. Dangerous jobs and jobs which involve the carrying of heavy weights, as specified by an ordinance of the Labour Ministry, are prohibited for women.