(1) Each employer shall establish at least one retirement benefit scheme in order to pay benefits to retiring employees: Provided, That this shall not apply to employees whose continuous service period is less than one year, nor employees whose average weekly working hours over a four-week period is less than 15 hours.
(2) In establishing a retirement benefit scheme pursuant to paragraph (1), no differentiation shall be made within the same business in respect of the application, etc. of the method for calculating the amount of benefits or contributions.
(3) If any employer intends to establish a type of retirement benefit scheme or change an existing type into a different one, the employer shall, if a trade union participated by a majority of employees exists at the business concerned, obtain the consent of the trade union, and if no such trade union exists, obtain the consent of a majority of employees (hereinafter referred to as "representatives of employees").
(4) If any employer intends to change the details of a retirement benefit scheme established or changed pursuant to paragraph (3), he or she shall seek opinions from the representatives of employees: Provided, That if the employer intends to change such details in a manner unfavorable to employees, he or she shall obtain the consent of the representatives of employees.