Job hoppers account for 20 percent of Japan's youth labor force

A government survey reveals that every fifth young worker is employed as a contingent worker, indicating that companies' employment strategy is aimed at holding down labor costs to make immediate maximum profits.

According to the report on the Japanese people's living conditions published by on May 30, the number of non-full-time workers between 15 and 34 who are on part-time, temporary, or other contingent jobs in 2001 was 4,170.000, up from 1,830,000 in 1990.

The survey also found that 72.2 percent of contingent workers want full-time jobs.

In Japan, the government is pushing ahead with labor law changes to ease regulations on the use of contingent workers.

The report pointed out that the "prolonged economic slowdown has forced companies to review their employment policies, making the job market tighter than ever. This has compelled many job seekers to opt to be contingent workers."

The report also warned that this tendency will impede efforts to enhance young people's professional skills, put brakes on economic growth, and sharpen the problem of low-birth rates.

Akahata of May 31 said that the government must make efforts to ensure worthwhile jobs for young people using stronger regulations on corporate restructuring to force companies to fulfill corporate social responsibility. It said that discrimination against contingent workers in wages, vacation, and other benefits must be eliminated.

Akahata also emphasized the need to eliminate unpaid overtime work and create jobs in areas that are essential for supporting people's living conditions, such as education, child care, nursing care, and medical services. (end)