Japan Press Weekly

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2012 December 19 - 25 [LABOR]

Zenroren to campaign for youth employment

The National Confederation of Trade Unions (Zenroren) plans to conduct a campaign seeking better employment for youth in February next year.

One in two young people is now engaged in non-regular employment. According to a labor force survey by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, the ratio of non-regular workers to all employees aged between 15 and 24 has jumped to 46.9% in the third quarter of 2012 from 20.9% in 1992. As of employees aged 25-34, the ratio has increased to 26.9% from 12% during the same period of time.

A serious wage gap exists between full-time workers and contingent workers. The labor ministry’s survey showed that among employees aged between 20 and 24, non-regular workers earn 82% of that paid to regular workers, 80% for those aged 25-29, and 73% for 30-34 year of age workers. The gap is wider among older age groups.

Zenroren is calling for a drastic change in policies for youth employment as improvement in the employment situation is urgently needed to boost the Japanese economy and build a better future for all.

In order to achieve this, Zenroren plans to carry out a survey on young workers’ jobs and lives; request local and national governments to help young people to find jobs; offer telephone counseling for young job seekers; and hold a symposium on the severe employment situation facing youth.