Unions reveal over 40 percent of workers have non-regular status in many municipalities

Osaka ― A survey by Osaka Jichiroren and the Osaka Federation of Trade Unions (Osaka Roren) revealed how municipalities are relying on non-regular workers in their services.

 On October 29, the unions announced the survey results of working conditions of non-regular employees in Osaka’s local governments as of April 2024. The survey has been conducted annually in 44 municipalities, including the Osaka Prefectural Government, for the past 19 years. It showed that more than 40 percent of municipal workers are employed as non-regular workers in 31 municipalities and that the proportion in 17 of such municipalities is more than 50 percent. The rates are higher than the national level of approximately 27 percent (according to a Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications survey). The Osaka unions’ survey suggests that it would be extremely difficult for local governments to provide public services without non-regular staff.

 Tomoko Kama, secretary general of Osaka Roren, said, “Authorities should employ these workers permanently because they do the same jobs as regular workers.” She also mentioned roles of local governments are drawing attention as natural disasters repeatedly occur.