BPO Association (Japan Business Process Outsourcing and Staffing Association, formerly known as Japan Production Skills and Labour Association), and RENGO (Japanese Trade Union Confederation) have been engaged in discussions since 2010 to help create a work environment in which dispatched and fixed-term contract workers can work with peace of mind. Amid changes in industrial structure and a declining working age population due to low birthrates, Japan’s employment and labour environments are undergoing significant transformations, making it increasingly important to establish safe and secure working conditions for all.

Given these circumstances, on March 3, 2025, BPO Association and RENGO exchanged opinions on issues related to ensuring a society in which dispatched and fixed-term contract workers can work with confidence, and affirmed a joint declaration statement.

Key Points of the Joint Declaration between BPO Association and RENGO

Throughout the entire supply chain, including small and medium-sized enterprises, improving quality and expanding opportunities for skills development in response to the increased use of digital technology are essential. Investment in people is indispensable. It is crucial to ensure appropriate fairness in transactions and appropriate passing on of labour costs so that wage increases can be secured. Particularly in the case of labour dispatching, labour costs should be appropriately reflected in dispatch fees, which form the wage base for dispatched workers. To achieve this, both sides must cooperate.

Additionally, from the business and human rights perspective, it is necessary to create more worker-friendly workplaces by ensuring compliance with labour-related laws and engaging in dialogue with workers.

BPO Association aims to ensure stable employment and equitable and balanced treatment under a sound labour-management relationship. Furthermore, as the BPO and dispatching industries play a crucial social role in adjusting labour supply and demand through contracting and dispatching services, the association is committed to maintaining the sound operation of these industries. It will also establish a support system to help workers acquire new knowledge and skills for independent career development, thereby ensuring a work environment in which dispatched and fixed-term contract workers can work with peace of mind.

RENGO will continue striving for employment and livelihood stability for all workers by securing sufficient leisure time, achieving appropriate working hours, and promoting sustainable wage increases that lead to investment in people. It will also work toward a positive cycle of equal and balanced treatment, skills development, and improved working conditions. Furthermore, RENGO seeks to create fair workplaces and a fair society in which everyone, regardless of gender, age, nationality, disability status, or employment type, recognizes and supports diversity.

Going forward, BPO Association, as an employer organization for the BPO and dispatching industries, and RENGO, as a national center for labour unions, will continue their dialogue and collaborate on solving various issues. They will work towards building a society in which dispatched and fixed-term contract workers can live and work with security.

(Key points above)

At present, dispatched and fixed-term contract workers account for nearly 40% of total employment and form an essential part of the social and economic workforce. However, disparities in treatment between them and full-time employees, as well as employment insecurity, remain significant challenges, highlighting the need for improvements to the labour environment. In this context, the roles of RENGO and BPO Association are growing increasingly critical.

From the perspective of protecting workers’ rights, RENGO promotes efforts to achieve equal and balanced treatment, wage increases, and employment stability. Meanwhile, as an employer organization, the BPO Association is responsible for establishing a healthy employment environment, adjusting labour supply and demand, and improving human resource development and working conditions. Through their cooperation, it is expected that the position of dispatched and fixed-term contract workers will be stabilized, and sustainable working styles will be established.

Moving forward, ensuring thorough implementation of equal pay for equal work, appropriately passing on labour costs, and supporting workers’ skill development will be essential. By deepening labour-management dialogue and improving system operations, a work environment in which everyone can work with peace of mind will be realized. To enable dispatched and fixed-term contract workers to contribute to society while leading stable lives, the proactive roles of RENGO and BPO Association will continue to be crucial.

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