Government panel wants companies to run hospitals and schools

A government panel on regulatory reform on July 11 proposed allowing joint stock companies to run institutions for medical care, welfare services, and education.

The panel report expressed its dissatisfaction with the 12-item regulatory reforms the cabinet approved in June that included the establishment of special structural reform zones. The report demanded that welfare-related public services give business opportunities to joint stock companies.

Also targeted: long-term nursing homes, public schools in specially designated zones, and agricultural land.

Of the 15 members of the panel, 11 are corporate executives and business leaders, and none from consumers and workers.

Akahata of July 12 commented that regulatory steps must be devoted to solving the serious problems of unemployment and long working hours. But the report ignored the means to eliminate unpaid overtime work and shorten working hours. On the contrary, it is calling for increasing temporary workers and for the public employment security offices to be privatized.

The report does not show any interest in "serving the consumers" and its only concern is to "benefit large corporations", reported Akahata, urging the panel to dismantle itself. (end)