非正規雇用

• Reading: ひせいきこよう
• Romaji: hiseikikoyou
• Kanji breakdown: 非 (hi) — non-, un-; 正 (sei) — correct, standard; 規 (ki) — rule; 雇 (ko) — hire; 用 (you) — employ
• Pronunciation: /hi.seː.ki.ko.joː/

Meaning

Irregular employment; non-standard employment. Part-time, contract, or temporary work without full benefits.

A compound noun referring to all forms of employment that are not 正規雇用 (regular full-time employment). Includes パート (part-time), アルバイト (casual work), 派遣 (temporary staffing), and 契約社員 (contract employees). A major social issue in Japan, as 非正規 workers often receive lower pay, fewer benefits, and less job security. Approximately 37% of Japanese workers fall into this category.

Examples

1. 非正規雇用の労働者は全体の約4割を占める。 Non-regular workers account for about 40% of the total workforce.
2. 非正規雇用から正社員への転換制度を導入した。 We introduced a system to convert non-regular employees to full-time status.
3. 非正規雇用の待遇改善が政策の重要課題だ。 Improving the working conditions of non-regular employees is a key policy priority.

Usage Guide

Context: labour, economics, social issues

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese: 非 (hi, non-/un-) + 正規雇用 (seikikoyou, regular employment). Literally 'non-regular employment' — defined by what it is not.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Universal