Working poor in Japan
November 19th 2008 22:39
There's a terrifying new class of people in Japan - the working poor, a label given by the San Francisco Gate.
Read the article!
There's a growing number of young workers, who, competing for jobs, are making less money, working longer hours,, and feel the continual foot of despair on their shoulders:
According to the government, there are over 10 million people living off of less than $19 000 a year.
In Australia, that's a huge number. In Japan, not so many - except that birth rates in Japan are drastically low, which means that these young workers will have to support the aging population.
The financial crisis in the 90s, and then the leadership of the US to introduce free market ideals put the money and power in the hands of those at the top, widening the income disparity and making temporary work the outlet for companies.
"A key to the growth of the working poor has been the explosion in temporary employment agencies, which allow corporations to take on labor without having to pay benefits and then unload workers at will."
It's fantastic for the companies - they pay no benefits, and have no loyalty to their employees, but demand hard work and loyalty from these workers...
I reviewed "Tokyo Sonata" for the Sydney Film Festival this year, which pointed a finger at this new experience... the huge unemployment lines, the packs of workers, identically dressed, all looking to fight for one job that doesn't pay that well. The movie started off quite funny, as the incongruity of a businessman standing in line at a homeless soup kitchen was absurd, but, as the film continued, the film grew increasingly tragic.
There's a growing number of young workers, who, competing for jobs, are making less money, working longer hours,, and feel the continual foot of despair on their shoulders:
""Everyday I live in deep anxiety," said the soft-spoken temporary worker, currently making $882 a month by bagging purchases at a home improvement center. "When I think about my future, I get sleepless at night.""
According to the government, there are over 10 million people living off of less than $19 000 a year.
In Australia, that's a huge number. In Japan, not so many - except that birth rates in Japan are drastically low, which means that these young workers will have to support the aging population.
The financial crisis in the 90s, and then the leadership of the US to introduce free market ideals put the money and power in the hands of those at the top, widening the income disparity and making temporary work the outlet for companies.
"A key to the growth of the working poor has been the explosion in temporary employment agencies, which allow corporations to take on labor without having to pay benefits and then unload workers at will."
I reviewed "Tokyo Sonata" for the Sydney Film Festival this year, which pointed a finger at this new experience... the huge unemployment lines, the packs of workers, identically dressed, all looking to fight for one job that doesn't pay that well. The movie started off quite funny, as the incongruity of a businessman standing in line at a homeless soup kitchen was absurd, but, as the film continued, the film grew increasingly tragic.
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