How Have Wage Systems for Non-Regular Workers Changed Over the Last Decade ?

Evidence from Interview Surveys in the Retail Sector

Abstract

This study examines changes in wage systems for non-regular workers in the retail sector over the past decade, drawing on interview data alongside legal and policy developments. It also explores whether the wage gap between regular and non-regular employment is moving toward resolution. Public statistics indicate that the wage gap between regular and non-regular workers has been narrowing, with particular progress seen in raising the pay of low-wage groups. Policy advances in recent years that focused on non-regular employment are considered to have contributed to this trend.

The interview data demonstrate that, in response to policies promoting equal pay for equal work, new forms of employment have been introduced to bridge regular and non-regular positions, creating greater continuity between them. At the same time, promotion to regular employment remains limited because it often requires geographic relocation, which few workers prefer. Further, when many women choose forms of work that are restricted to specific regions, it becomes difficult for them to access higher-level positions, resulting in underrepresentation.