Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare Announces Public Hearing on Proposed Amendments to the Industrial Safety and Health Act
Tokyo, February 18, 2025 – The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) announced today that it will hold a public hearing on proposed amendments to the Industrial Safety and Health Act. The hearing will take place on March 15, 2025, at the MHLW headquarters in Tokyo.
The proposed amendments aim to strengthen the safety and health of workers in Japan and align the Act with international standards. Key proposed changes include:
- Extending the scope of the Act to cover more types of workers: The amendments would extend coverage to include workers in the agriculture, forestry, and fishing industries, as well as workers in certain types of small businesses.
- Strengthening safety and health management systems: The amendments would require employers to develop and implement comprehensive safety and health management systems, including risk assessments and emergency response plans.
- Improving enforcement mechanisms: The amendments would increase the penalties for violations of the Act and provide for more effective enforcement by labor inspectors.
- Promoting the use of technology to improve safety: The amendments would encourage employers to use technology, such as wearable sensors and remote monitoring systems, to enhance worker safety.
The MHLW is seeking input from foreign stakeholders on the proposed amendments. The public hearing will provide an opportunity for foreign experts and organizations to share their views and provide feedback on the proposals.
Foreign stakeholders who wish to participate in the public hearing are requested to submit a request to the MHLW by March 1, 2025. Requests should include the following information:
- Name and affiliation of the participant
- Area of expertise or interest
- Brief summary of the participant’s views on the proposed amendments
Requests can be submitted via email to [email protected]
The MHLW will review the input received at the public hearing and consider it in finalizing the proposed amendments. The amended Act is expected to come into effect in 2026.
For more information, please visit the MHLW website: [website address]
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厚生労働省 a new article on 2025-02-18 10:59 titled “労働安全衛生法等の一部改正に係る外国関係者からの意見聴取について”. Please write a detailed article on this news item, including any relevant information. Answers should be in English.
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