JCP urgent proposal to help Tokyo's youth out of 'working poor' trap

Japan Press Weekly

Japan Press Service Co., Ltd. is the only news agency providing information of progressive, democratic movements in Japan

JCP urgent proposal to help Tokyo's youth out of 'working poor' trap

The Japanese Communist Party Tokyo Metropolitan Committee on June 24 published a proposal for emergency measures to help Tokyo's young people get out of their "working poor" situation.

The JCP Tokyo Assembly Members' Group proposed the measures based on the findings of a survey of 1,000 young workers and students regarding jobs and tuition costs.

The survey found that 70 percent of the respondents said they are badly affected by the current economic downturn and that many are living on an annual income of below 2 million yen.

The JCP calls for Tokyo's minimum wage to be increased at least to 1,074 yen per hour, an income level that still qualifies for livelihood protection assistance, from the present 766 yen, and for rent subsidies and other relief measures to be established. It proposes establishing a living wage system to secure an annual income of 2.63 million yen.

For students, the proposal calls for ending the present situation in which high tuitions are forcing many students to give up going to school.

- Akahata, June 25, 2009