TOKYO -- Oriental Land will pay part-timers more for work between 7 and 10 p.m., expanding the hours covered by the higher wage, as the Japanese company aims to attract and retain more employees at its theme parks including Tokyo Disney Resort.
The additional 200 yen to 300 yen ($1.78 to $2.66) per hour previously was paid only for work between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m. Growing labor shortages are pushing the theme park operator to improve conditions for its part-timers, who interact directly with customers. Oriental Land also will invite its roughly 20,000 nonregular staffers to join the labor union April 1.
About 18,000 part-timers work at Tokyo Disney Resort, in jobs ranging from running rides and cleaning to directing cars in parking lots. More workers likely will gain the additional pay, since the new policy covers hours in which the park is open.
Part-time staff such as restaurant servers or operators of boats used in shows also will see a 50-yen raise in hourly pay. The basic pay for part-time recruits is 1,000 yen per hour.
Tokyo Disney Resort "has been able to secure part-time workers as planned," a company source said. But Oriental Land decided to improve working conditions as nationwide labor shortages have pushed up wages of part-time work in service industries such as restaurants.
In late January, Oriental Land hosted a recruiting event for part-time workers in Osaka for the first time. The company based near Tokyo used to conduct large recruiting seminars at hotel banquet halls, but began recruiting on an as-needed basis at a dedicated space in its headquarters last April.
(Nikkei)
