Photo/Illutration Tomoko Nagashima, president of the labor union organization UA Zensen, speaks to reporters on March 13 in Tokyo’s Chiyoda Ward. (Takaya Katada)

Driven by a nationwide trend of wage increases, the average pay for part-time workers surged by a record high of 6.53 percent during this year’s “shunto” spring labor negotiations.

This initial tally marks a 0.08 percentage point increase from the previous year, according to a March 13 announcement by UA Zensen, which represents trade unions in the distribution, restaurant, textile and other industries.

This figure combines base pay increases with regular pay hikes based on age and length of service. It is the highest increase since UA Zensen was established in 2012.

In contrast, the average wage increase for regular employees was 5.37 percent, down 0.54 percentage point from last year, showing a slight slowing in the pace of the pay hike.

Of this, the base pay increase was 3.75 percent among the 107 unions where precise figures were available.

Of the total 139 unions for regular employees, 46 received the full pay increase requested, and 14 received even more than their demands.

The initial tally included data from 95 unions representing around 500,000 part-time workers and 139 unions representing 260,000 regular employees.

With roughly 60 percent of its members being part-time workers, UA Zensen is advocating for more equitable pay across different types of employment.

In the initial tally, the organization reported that part-time workers’ wage increase rates have outpaced those of regular employees for nine consecutive years.

UA Zensen President Tomoko Nagashima attributed the significant wage hikes for part-timers to the ongoing labor shortage.

“The prompt and substantial responses, offering full pay increases, have created momentum for higher wages and greater pay equality, marking progress in addressing the wage gap,” Nagashima said.

High wage increases for part-time workers were also achieved in regional areas where labor shortages are more acute.

Supermarkets are among the sectors that have experienced significant pay hikes.

Aeon Retail Co., with numerous stores in regional areas, agreed to a 7.07 percent wage increase. Daiei Inc., which operates in Tokyo and the surrounding areas, as well as in the Kansai region, settled on a 7.08 percent hike. Yaoko Co., based in the Kanto region, agreed to a 9.51 percent increase.

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