A series of changes in the rules on the employment of disabled workers scheduled
The mandatory employment rate of workers with disabilities will be increased in phases to 2.5% in April 2024, and to 2.7% in July 2026. In relation to this, amendments to the ordinance for the enforcement of the Act to Facilitate the Employment of Persons with Disabilities, including changes in the system regarding monetary adjustments for the employment of disabled workers, will be implemented in April 2025. This article outlines the planned changes.
[1] Special rule on the calculation of real employment rate of disabled workers
Currently, employees who work 20 hours or more per week are included in the calculation of the mandatory employment rate of disabled workers. From April 2024, employees with severe disabilities, severe intellectual disabilities or mental illnesses who work at least 10 hours and less than 20 hours per week will be included in the calculation as 0.5 persons.
Some people with disabilities seek employment with less than 20 working hours per week, as they feel working long hours is difficult due to their disability characteristics or other factors. While there are such individuals regardless of the type of disabilities, the case is particularly common among those suffering mental illnesses. The amendment is aimed to expand employment opportunities for people who can carry out job duties, if weekly work hours are less then 20 hours.
[2] Levies on companies that fail to satisfy legal employment rate
Companies with more than 100 regular employees that fail to satisfy legal employment rate of disabled workers are imposed levies. The rule requires such companies to pay a monthly levy of 50,000 yen per disabled worker in short.
Meanwhile, companies with more than 100 employees that employ more disabled workers than the legal requirement are paid monthly monetary adjustments of 27,000 yen per disabled worker above the requirement. The government is currently reexamining the monetary adjustment system, including changes in the amounts of monthly adjustments. The amount is expected to become 29,000 yen for companies employing up to annualized 120 disabled workers (10 workers in a month). If the annualized number of disabled workers exceeds 120, the companies will likely receive 23,000 yen per disabled worker in excess.
Companies with 100 or less regular employees that meet legal employment rate are given rewards. The government is also planning to change the amounts of rewards.
The authorities are also considering establishing grants to support the continued employment of disabled workers facing difficulties in adapting to the workplace due to aging, or grants to provide funding for programs that offer consultation and assistance regarding employment management measures needed for the recruitment and continuous employment of disabled workers. Companies are advised to take measures to satisfy the legal employment rate of disabled workers by considering the use of grants.
Reference
Labour Ministry “Information about labor laws and regulations for employers”
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/seisakunitsuite/bunya/koyou_roudou/roudoukijun/zigyonushi/index.html
