AICHI－On August 11, Nagoya City Workers’ Union negotiated for an increasement of staff in number　with the authorities for the fiscal year of 2022, with 25 union officials and members participating. Thirteen people spoke in turn about how exhausted workers are at work and they demanded an urgent increase in the number of workers.

A participant read a letter from a public health worker describing the situation of their workplace. It said, “Struggling with too much work with a small number of staff, we have received criticism from residents for being late in contact with people tested positive for the COVID-19. We have other many different tasks to manage them.” Other participants also demanded the increase in the number of the workforce as soon as possible.

Takako Muto, vice president of the union, said, “We are not adequately responding to residents’ SOSs. Workloads are increasing, but the number of staff is not. Due to the treatment of the coronavirus, the labor shortage is getting more serious.” She added, “I want the authority to consider increasing the number of workers for next year, including those situations.”