Key Facts
• Ebetsu Tanifuji Hospital staff unpaid for two months, including August 25 payday.
• Hospital operates as a night and holiday emergency facility with 122 beds.
• Managed by Toikakai Medical Corporation, which also oversees Kushiro Tanifuji Hospital.
• Hospital director cited financial issues as the cause of unpaid wages.
• Staff continue working unpaid, citing commitment to patients and colleagues.
• Local medical association expressed confusion and urged swift resolution.
• Labor law expert emphasized the rarity of two-month wage delays.
• Director pledged to pay overdue wages and rebuild the corporation’s operations.
• Community involvement, including financial institutions and local government, deemed essential for resolution.
Summary
Ebetsu Tanifuji Hospital in Hokkaido has failed to pay its staff for two consecutive months, raising concerns among employees and the local community. The hospital, a critical night and holiday emergency facility, continues operations despite financial difficulties cited by its director. Staff members, driven by professional ethics and dedication to patients, remain at work without pay. The local medical association and labor law experts have highlighted the unusual nature of this situation, urging immediate action. The hospital’s director has promised to address the unpaid wages and work on rebuilding the organization. Experts stress the need for collective efforts from financial institutions, local authorities, and the community to resolve the crisis and ensure the hospital’s sustainability.
