Gov't says 85,000 temp workers will lose jobs over next 6 months

Friday 26th December, 05:54 PM JST

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smithinjapan at 11:00 PM JST - 26th December

I feel awful for these guys, but I blame the government 100%. They helped put a system in place that guaranteed an entire generation of kids actually ASPIRED to be part-time or temp workers, rather than pursuing 'life-long careers'. It was either one or the other, with no in between. The major shift occurred under Koizumi, though I'm not sure he shoulders 100% of the blame.

I remember asking a bunch of kids what they wanted to be and a good number said they wanted to be temps. It reminded me of the sarcastic but very funny commercial in NA where a bunch of kids were saying things like: "When I grow up, I want to be a yes man -- a yes woman -- a yes sir!", "I want to claw my way into middle managment", etc. Here it was honest-to-god ambition in the kids' eyes.... errrr... as much ambition as you can put into wanting to be a temporary worker.

Anyway, the government shot itself in the foot a while back, and they are to blame for this. Unfortunately, that fact is little going to help what becomes the huge number of unemployed.
umbrella at 11:38 PM JST - 26th December

Feels like the end of an era. Nobody's going to want to be a temporary worker anymore. Even the flood of low grade foreigners to japan may decline as all they can get is temporary jobs. Anyway, I agree with someone above unfortunately, I'm expecting a serious breakdown in law and order here next year. It won't be pretty and japan will change forever.
Sarge at 11:43 PM JST - 26th December

"I'm expecting a serious breakdown in law and order here from next year"

The breakdown in law and order here started a while ago.
umbrella at 11:56 PM JST - 26th December

Yeah maybe you're right there Sarge
Sammi33 at 01:05 AM JST - 27th December

And a lot of "elite" foreigners here put down being an English teacher, but you know what? I'm a company employee, and they're always looking for more to HIRE, not reasons to FIRE. And I earn more per month than probably 90% of these temp workers.
bimyou at 01:36 AM JST - 27th December
I think the government should
- Increase the minimum salary of temp workers so they can actually make a saving.
  
  Haken gaisha is notorious of taking a big chunk of temp workers salary.
- Reduce the retirement age to 60. Let these tired and expensive old workers go early and it will create jobs for the university students.
shiuu at 07:57 AM JST - 27th December

I'm helping out these poor people by giving what money and time I have until I become one of them.

I'm helping out poor people by telling them "Get a job."
Sarge at 09:36 AM JST - 27th December

"I'm helping out poor people by telling them "Get a job."

When you lose your job, I'm sure some smug person will tell you "Get a job."
shiuu at 11:00 AM JST - 27th December

When you lose your job, I'm sure some smug person will tell you "Get a job."

Although unlikely, if I ever lost my job, no one would ever know it because I wouldn't be wasting my time out marching or begging. Instead, I'd be doing something productive, like, oh, I don't know, getting another job.
Sarge at 11:13 AM JST - 27th December

"Although unlikely, if I ever lost my job, no one would ever know it"

Except maybe your landlord or your mortgage company, who would be demanding payment while you're looking for another job. It's very difficult for many people to find jobs right now. Have a little compassion, pal.
shiuu at 07:06 PM JST - 27th December

Except maybe your landlord or your mortgage company, who would be demanding payment while you're looking for another job. It's very difficult for many people to find jobs right now. Have a little compassion, pal.

O.K. I feel sorry for everyone that slept through school and never bothered to make the effort to acquire any useful skills.

If they had, perhaps they'd be paid ahead on their mortgage like me.
Sarge at 09:34 PM JST - 27th December

"O.K. I feel sorry for everyone that ( who ) slept through school and never bothered to make the effort to acquire any useful skills"

How about feeling srry for skilled workers who lost tgheir jobs through no fault of their own? Nah...

"If they had, perhaps they'd be ahead on their mortgage like me"

I sincerely hope you don't die with your house paid off without ever having helped anyone who hasn't been able to do the same thing.
BlackFlag at 12:01 AM JST - 28th December

I sincerely hope you don't die with your house paid off without ever having helped anyone who hasn't been able to do the same thing.

I'm with you Sarge but I fear mocking 'weak fools' is far higher on his agenda. pity and empathy? hell no! no time for that! got to polish his rungs
shiuu at 07:31 AM JST - 28th December

How about feeling srry for skilled workers who lost tgheir jobs through no fault of their own?

Why should I feel sorry for skilled workers? If they're skilled, it's time for them to pick themselves up and go get another job.

I sincerely hope you don't die with your house paid off without ever having helped anyone who hasn't been able to do the same thing.

No worries there. I've already done enough charity work to last a lifetime. But thanks for your concern.
holyman at 07:59 AM JST - 29th December

japan's system sucks...slow...simple...stupid...remember there is "no justice in slavery/paradise is a step away"...make life good for yourself...free to be good..learn to live...be free to give joy a ride...go on a trip and then change for the better...try Hawaii