A new wage system that provides more generous support for employees raising children, including a significant increase in the bonus for the birth of a child from 10,000 yen about $75 to a maximum of 500,000 yen about $3,700, was announced on March 29 by FUKUOKA Railway Co. The base salary will be increased by 20,000 to 30,000 yen about $150 to $220 with an average wage hike of about 12%, marking the first revision of the system since 2007. The plan will be presented to the labor union and will be introduced in April 2024.
The childbirth bonus will be increased from 10,000 yen to 300,000 yen about $2,200 for the first child, 400,000 yen about $3,600 for the second child, and 500,000 yen for the third or subsequent children. The allowance for spouses will be reduced from 15,000 yen to 10,000 yen, and the allowance for children will be increased from 4,500 yen about $33 to 10,000 yen.
The salary for college graduates in general service positions will be raised from 182,200 yen to 212,200 yen about $1,370 to 1,590. Personnel costs will be increased by approximately 3.5 billion yen per year, based on years of service. President Yoji Furumiya said at the press conference that JR Kyushu's wage levels were apparently lower than those of major companies competing in hiring. It is fundamental to our business operations to secure excellent employees and have them work for long periods of time. He said that the declining birth rate and the aging population can only mean a bleak future for railroad companies, and we would like to support our employees in raising their children.