Non-permanent hourly employees to also see wages raised
Universal Studios Japan (USJ) has announced a JPY50 per hour wage increase for all hourly employees as part of a string of benefits it unveiled to recruit and retain staff, according to reports.
SoraNews24 reported early this month the across-the-board wage increase for USJ hourly employees, which will take effect on April 1.
Non-permanent hourly employees outside the currently highest-paying rank will also see their wages raised from JPY1,290 to JPY1,540.
This is much higher than the JPY1,064 minimum hourly wage offered in Osaka Prefecture, where the USJ is based, according to the report.
Meanwhile, USJ also announced that some of its part-time employees will soon be eligible for a career advancement subsidy by Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare.
These employees include part-time workers who aren't receiving Employee's Health and Pension Insurance but want to increase their fixed working hours and obtain insurance.
An estimated 460 employees will be affected, who will also be eligible for a lump sum payment of up to JPY10,000 if they update their status between February and April 1.
USJ also announced that it is giving away between February 1 and April 30 a pair of studio passes to new employees who have obtained insurance and have worked on average of four to five days a week.
The wage hike and new benefits came as USJ saw its part-time workforce grow by 2,000 since last year to hit approximately 12,000 people, with recruitment still ongoing for more than 20 occupational categories throughout the park.
USJ noted that it is aiming for a more diverse workforce and is now turning its attention to hiring senior and foreign workers.
The latest wage hike comes as recently released data from the Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare revealed the continued decline of real wages in December 2023, extending its fall for 21 consecutive months, Nippon reported.
