 'Structural reform' makes 'NEET' Japanese Communist Party representative Daimon Mikishi used his question time at a House of Councilors Budget Committee meeting on October 21 to criticize large companies and the government for ignoring the needs of young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET). Pointing out that the number of NEET begins to increase at the time when students graduate from high school or university, Daimon said that the biggest cause of the NEET question is large companies' reluctance to employ new workers, aggravating the employment situation. The labor minister agreed with Daimon pointed out, saying, "Companies want experienced people with knowledge and skills as full-time or regular workers, and inexperienced people as part-timers or temps." In response, Daimon said, "It may help increase corporate profits for a while but definitely reduces the number of competent young workers, which will lead Japan's economy to collapse." He criticized "structural reform" by the government for encouraging further unstable employment and corporate restructuring, and demanded that the government improve its vocational training system. (end) |