Abstract
Many part-time workers were substituted for full-time workers ("sei-shain") in the second half of 1990s. Our research in restaurant industry in 2001 shows that there is a distinction between full-time and part-time jobs; but, in some shops, important and difficult jobs, for example semi-management jobs, are done by part-time workers. The difference in treatment between "sei-shain" and part-time workers has become a crucial issue. In 1999, about 30 percent of firms had a system in which part-time workers could be upgraded (or promoted) to full-time "sei-shain" status. But, many part-time workers do not want to work full-time even if they are doing important work. I would therefore propose to introduce the job title "tanjikan sei-shain" (regular part-timer) to the personnel system. According to a survey in 2001, not only part-timers but also full-time workers want to become "tanjikan sei-shain". Moreover, more women want to become regular part-timers than men, and half of men in their 30s and 40s want to be regular-part timers now or in the future. Most part-timers need to be regular part-timers who are not required to work overtime and subject to transfers. A report issued by Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare in 2002 has stressed the necessity of treating part-time workers and full-time workers equally. In this regard, regular part-timers are a typical example of a way that equality and balance can be reached.
