Japan Press Weekly

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2021 September 29 - October 5 [LABOR]

80% of childcare and nursing-care workers 'want to quit' due to overwork

About 80% of childcare and nursing-care workers "feel like quitting" their jobs although 89% feel their jobs "are worthwhile", a reality caused by overwork associated with a manpower shortage.

The National Union of Welfare and Childcare Workers (Fukushi-hoikuro) and the Comprehensive Research Institute of Social Welfare on September 29 released the results of their survey of childcare and nursing-care workers.

The survey shows that 89% of respondents answered that their jobs are either "very rewarding" or "rewarding". Regarding job dissatisfaction, 64% pointed to "low wages", 51% "too busy at work", 80% said they "cannot get over fatigue", and about 80% "feel like quitting" their jobs.

At a press conference in the Labor Ministry building, Ishikura Yasuji, the institute director, pointed out, "Care workers encourage themselves with their understanding that their jobs are meaningful, but their social standing remains low."

Fukushi-hoikuro Chairman Tsuchida Shoichi said, "More care workers feel like quitting jobs than before-COVID days. Our union will work to press the government and care-providing employers to solve the manpower shortage and to improve work conditions dramatically."