On November 21, Jichiroren announced the results of its survey on workers’ pay and conditions three years after the fiscal year-termed appointment system started, releasing its urgent proposal to improve the treatment of them at its news conference.

A childcare worker who was one of the fiscal-term appointment staff attending the news conference　argued the need for steady employment of the temporary workers. She said, “For children and their guardians, their childcare workers are sensei, regardless of whether they work on a regular basis or not.” Sensei is an honorific Japanese title for teachers and people in leadership positions, such as doctors and lawyers. “Unilateral cancellation of job contracts by the authorities would lead children to feel sad and anxious,” she stressed.

Harumi Katori, a nurse and vice-president of Chiba Prefectural Workers’ Union, mentioned how the current poor pay and conditions in temporary position bring health-care professionals to hold back from applying for the jobs. “Pay raises are needed because of a growing demand for more medical staff at work places. who provide health-care services and treat infected patients with the Covid-19 in local community.”