It is often said that Japanese people are “born to work”. However, an excessive focus on work can have negative consequences for health. In recent years, there has been increasing discussion regarding the high levels of work-related stress in Japan, prompting a search for solutions. It is widely acknowledged that long working hours and heavy responsibilities are adversely affecting the mental well-being of many individuals, contributing to stress. The term “karoshi”, or work-related death, has become well-known in Japan, referring to cases where overwork leads to fatal consequences. In response, Japan is planning to implement a four-day workweek starting in April this year. Specifically, public employees in Tokyo will work four days a week, a policy designed to support working mothers, encourage childbirth, promote work-life balance and improve overall quality of life. This initiative is expected to expand in the future, eventually extending to the private sector as well.

Around the world, numerous countries are prioritizing the well-being of their workforce by enhancing working conditions, increasing wages, focusing on health and psychological support, addressing social challenges and creating opportunities for employees to spend time with their families. For example, in Belgium, employees suffering from depression are entitled to paid leave. If an employee takes temporary leave for mental health reasons, based on a doctor's recommendation, the employer and social insurance fund cover a portion of the salary. Employees in such cases are legally entitled to 100 percent compensation for the first month. This system not only supports mental health but also helps reduce workplace stress and enables individuals to focus on their well-being. 

In Finland, working hours are flexible, with the goal of ensuring a healthy work-life balance. Through effective education and training, employee productivity is enhanced, wages are fairly determined, and the work environment is given high priority. Switzerland, known for its high average wage system, places significant value on overtime pay. In Germany, employees are granted the right to propose suggestions to company management, and labor contracts are strictly enforced. These examples reflect a global trend where employers recognize that maintaining the health, happiness, and financial security of employees leads to greater work productivity and long-term organizational success.

But what are the working conditions like in Mongolia? In Mongolia, working conditions can often feel overwhelming, with employees finding themselves devoting long hours to work at the expense of their personal lives. Many workers leave their homes at dawn and return only at dusk, with little time for rest or personal activities. While the Labor Law stipulates an eight-hour workday, overtime is common. The traffic congestion in the capital, Ulaanbaatar, plays a significant role in extending work hours. If you do not leave home two to three hours before work starts at 8:00 a.m., it’s often impossible to arrive on time. The traffic jams seem to “know” exactly when to worsen, making commuting a daily struggle.

A study released by the Department of Transportation found that residents of Ulaanbaatar spend an average of 2.5 hours a day in traffic, which adds up to 35 days per year. This prolonged commute not only wastes valuable time but also contributes to a significant economic cost, estimated at 2.7 trillion MNT. Citizens who are forced to spend this much time on the road experience heightened stress levels, which ultimately have a negative impact on their productivity at work.

In the country, the salaries of citizens are relatively low compared to many other countries. While the mining sector is often touted as a high-paying industry, it employs a limited number of people, meaning that only a small portion of the 3.5 million Mongolian population - just over one million - has access to these opportunities. There is a noticeable disconnect between the interests of employers seeking workers and the needs of citizens seeking employment. Many workers are unwilling to take jobs that offer only minimal wages, and yet employers seem to demand long hours, little regard for holidays, and poor working conditions. 

This mismatch is especially evident in the construction and service sectors, where labor shortages are common. Some employers claim that Mongolians are lazy, but they fail to acknowledge the poor conditions and low wages that drive workers away. Employees are often subjected to long hours, substandard conditions, and inadequate compensation, with some working around the clock while being paid below the agreed amount or not at all. For example, many workers are forced to survive on instant noodles and are denied their full salaries. People cannot be expected to work under such difficult, unsafe and unhealthy conditions, where their physical and mental well-being is neglected. 

Although labor laws exist to regulate workers’ rights, they are often poorly enforced. Many workers are not given opportunities for skill development, and they are assigned excessive additional tasks beyond their primary responsibilities, leading to burnout. The revised Labor Law stipulates that employees working at night or on public holidays must receive additional compensation, but in practice, these provisions are rarely followed. For instance, the law requires a 1.2 times salary increase for night shifts and a double salary for working on public holidays. However, these rights are frequently ignored, particularly in the private sector, where labor exploitation remains rampant.

Labor exploitation, defined as the unfair treatment and violation of workers’ rights to maximize profits, has become widespread in Mongolia. Employers often hire workers without pay, exploit them under the guise of probation periods, and fail to compensate them for overtime. This practice extends to various sectors, including healthcare, where doctors, nurses and security guards working night shifts are not receiving their rightful bonuses. Last year, over 300 employees in the National Health Service reported that they were not receiving full overtime pay for their night shifts, highlighting the ongoing issue of labor exploitation.

Additionally, many young people in Mongolia, especially students, are leaving their jobs and migrating abroad due to the lack of fair evaluation of their work. Those who return from studying abroad often choose to live and work overseas, unable to adapt to a society they perceive as corrupt and self-interested. For instance, a couple who studied in Australia has chosen to settle there - the husband teaches at a university, while the wife works on a large foreign project. Despite earning a modest living, they prefer the comfort of a society where healthcare, education, and food quality are superior, and where work is rewarded fairly. Australia, one of the leading countries in protecting employee rights, offers a clear and realistic job market. Employers there are transparent about the type of work available - full-time, part-time, or temporary - allowing job seekers to choose positions that fit their schedules. Salaries vary depending on citizenship status, gender, and the type of work, but the average weekly salary is about 3 million to 4 million MNT. In contrast, such an amount cannot be earned in Mongolia, even with a full month’s work. Given this disparity, it is understandable why many Mongolians choose to live and work abroad, where they can earn higher wages and enjoy a better quality of life.

It is also common for job advertisements to present an unrealistic and often deceptive picture. Many job postings suggest that applicants could become millionaires or billionaires, but in reality, these ads are frequently fraudulent. The working hours and wages are typically stated clearly, yet they are rarely evaluated fairly. A notable example of this can be seen with a student named E, who secured a job at a store owned by the Khurd Group during her study leave. The store manager, who had come from the countryside, initially welcomed her warmly and offered her the job. However, after working diligently for over 100 hours, E was paid only a little over 100,000 MNT, far below the promised salary. Initially, she was told her hourly wage would be 6,000 MNT, and she expected to be compensated for the hours worked. But the store seemed to have learned how to exploit students, having them work for free. When E went to collect her salary twice, she was scolded and sent away, and the manager made her feel that her desire to work and earn money was a fault. Eventually, she became afraid to even ask for her rightful pay. This illustrates how the existence of a Labor Law in Mongolia is largely ineffective due to poor enforcement.

Another example of labor exploitation is A, a retired man who took up a job as a waiter at a hotel to supplement his pension. Despite his efforts to earn extra income, the hotel required him to work overtime and call him in on weekends without providing any meals or refreshments. These challenging working conditions, combined with low wages, have dampened the motivation of many citizens to remain in the workforce. 

This issue is highlighted in the Mongolia Labor Market Analysis released by the World Bank in 2022, which noted that while the economy has grown and labor demand has increased over the past 20 years, the majority of new jobs have been created in low-wage sectors. Despite high-ranking officials speaking about the revival of the economy, the workforce has continued to bear the burden of excessive taxes and poor working conditions. As a result, citizens have become exhausted, akin to a horse whose back has been broken. The current state of labor markets in Mongolia is unsustainable, and significant reforms are needed to ensure fair wages, enforce labor laws, and improve working conditions for all employees.