□ Consideration of special construction equipment transfer/site completion progress□
At concrete pressure transport sites, there are cases where two companies undertake the work (provided by Zenjoren)
Specialized construction companies using special construction equipment are working to reduce overtime. There is a strong sense of crisis that it will not be possible to comply with the upper limit on overtime within normal working hours, taking into account factors such as vehicle travel time. Groups in the concrete pumping industry, the construction lifting industry (mobile crane construction industry) and other organizations have been lobbying for earlier completion of work even before the regulations come into effect. Understanding between general contractors has been expanding and in some cases negotiations are progressing on working conditions, including prices. Discussions with the main contractor are likely to intensify as the second half of the year enters the busy season at many construction sites.
Following the Tokyo metropolitan area, there is also a movement to increase work completion times in the Kansai and Chubu regions (provided by the Kanagawa Construction Heavy Equipment Cooperative Association)
When performing on-site concrete pumping work or mobile crane lifting work, the key to reducing overtime for technicians and operators is how to manage the turnaround time of the working vehicle. In some cases, it takes two to three hours a day to make a round trip, and ``With the traditional 8am to 5pm working hours, it is difficult to keep overtime under 45 hours a month'' (according to an official from a construction and lifting industry organization).
Ahead of the implementation of overtime regulations in fiscal 2023, industry groups have asked the government and major contractors to require on-site work to end at 3 p.m. from April onwards.
In March, the National Federation of Concrete Pressure Conveyor Companies (Zentouren) sent a letter of request to general contractors and other parties. To comply with the above limit, a deadline for water pumping was set and cooperation from general contractors was requested from the construction planning stage.
After the regulation was implemented, the problem at the construction site was how to arrange the facilities to reduce the working time for each pumping vehicle used for pressure pumping. According to President Takahiko Sato (President of Yamacon), ``More and more people are asking at the meeting stage (with the main contractor) whether it is possible to use two machines to split parts at large-scale construction sites. machines that have been used for construction in the past. The requested operations are showing some results. However, the increase in the number of vehicles will increase costs, and the labor shortage is getting worse, so increasing the number of personnel and vehicles will be difficult and especially difficult to adjust. for small and medium-sized sites.
At large construction sites like those in Tokyo, there are cases where two companies work together to provide flexible facilities that take into account working hours. President Sato believes that such sites could spread beyond Tokyo.
The volume of ready-mixed concrete exports has been decreasing since April, and there seems to be little risk of exceeding the prescribed time limit, but the response to the busy season in the second half of the fiscal year remains uncertain. Zentokuren President Sato said, "(If the end date is pushed forward), the daily construction work volume will decrease. We must start formal negotiations with the main contractor on working hours, unit prices, etc. towards improving the treatment of technicians. " He emphasized that although there is no concrete solution in sight to comply with the regulations, he said, "We will spend about a year looking at the actual situation, and if we find a good case, we will implement it nationwide. We will continue to collect information."
In the mobile crane industry, heavy construction equipment cooperatives in Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama and Chiba prefectures have been working together since fiscal 2017 to request a change in working hours from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Since April, some major contracting companies are said to have shown understanding in arranging for operator changes that are likely to exceed overtime limits. Nobuhiko Takamura, president of Tokyo Construction Heavy Equipment Cooperative (Toho Heavy Equipment Development President), took a positive view, saying, "Many general contractors and others I have talked to so far have shown some understanding. . "
Regarding the increase in on-site work completion time, not only the Tokyo metropolitan area is taking the lead, but the Kansai region has been considering similar measures since September, and moves are also being seen in the Chubu region, which includes Nagoya and Mie. On the other hand, there is considerable concern among individual companies that they will not be able to get work if industry requirements are imposed. President Takamura pointed out, ``It is important to approach the industry more closely and create an environment where they can have frank discussions with general contractors and other stakeholders.''
Another important issue for the industry is securing and retaining workers through work style reforms such as reducing overtime. If overtime work is limited and income declines, there are concerns that not only will there be fewer new employees, but also that existing workers will leave. Wago Toda, secretary general of the Kanagawa Construction Heavy Equipment Cooperative Association, analyzed the current situation, saying: ``While some general contractors are understanding, there are also many who are waiting and watching. There is also a big difference in status among members. Industry initiatives.'' He stressed that it is important to strengthen organizational strength to promote solidarity throughout the industry, saying: ``We must unite as one to appropriately increase profits and provide satisfactory profits to our employees.''
It has been more than four months since the above limit was introduced. It is increasingly important to strengthen cooperation between companies and organizations, to attract more prime contractors and disseminate effective initiatives across the country.
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