 Rate of non-regular workers reaches new high In the first three months of this year, 32.3 percent of all employees in Japan were non-regular workers. It was the largest number ever. Among workers aged between 15 and 24, the rate was 48.2 percent, also an all time high. According to a research report on the labor force by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, non-regular workers, including part-time, temporary, and contracted workers, from January to March this year totaled 15.91 million, or 360 thousand more than the same period last year. On the other hand, the number of regular workers was 470 thousand less than last year. The total number of regular workers was 33.33 million people. Non-regular workers find it increasingly difficult to continuously build up their job performing skills. The situation has a serious bearing on Japan's future. - Akahata, June 1, 2005 |