Workers, residents win withdrawal of city’s plan to outsource municipal hospital

　Minamiboso, Chiba Pref. ― Citizens and workers at the Tomiyama-kokuho Hospital in Minaniboso City have won the withdrawal of the mayor’s proposal to outsource the functions of the hospital to a private operator and lay off all its staff.

　The mayor announced his plan in February, 2023, and workers formed their union in July. In collective negotiations, they warned that the policy would lead to a deterioration of medical services in the area, demanding that the city withdraw it.

　Residents also set up their group to protect the community medical services. As well as submitting a letter of question to the city, they collected about 18,000 signatures for a petition for two months, and lobbied the city assembly.

　With the strong public opposition rising, the mayor held briefing sessions for residents which had not been scheduled. At a second meeting on December 2, he announced the cancellation of his plan.