Japan's JFTC Investigates Five Major Staffing Agencies for Alleged Price-Fixing

The Japan Fair Trade Commission (JFTC) conducted on-site inspections of five major staffing agencies on the morning of the 2nd, citing suspected violations of the Anti-Monopoly Act. The companies under investigation include PERSOL TEMPSTAFF, Staff Service, Recruit Staffing, ManpowerGroup, and Adecco. The JFTC suspects that these companies coordinated to raise service fees while disproportionately increasing their own commission rates, failing to pass the gains on to temporary workers. Sources indicate that since fiscal year 2023, executives from these firms may have reached a consensus to raise fees nationwide before negotiating with corporate clients. While approximately 70% of service fees typically go to worker wages, the commission portion has been rising since 2023. If found guilty, the companies face administrative penalties or fines.