Government to dismiss national hospital non-regular staff

National hospital workers categorized as "non-regular employees" were told on November 10 that they will be dismissed after these government-run hospitals become independent administrative bodies which will be forced to cut costs as much as possible.

Although these workers, including registered nurses, do the same work as regular workers, they receive lower wages and are without job security.

The Japan National Hospital Workers' Union (Zen-iro) as well as the National Confederations of Trade Unions (Zenroren) have been urging the government to hold negotiations with the union. Health, Labor, and Welfare Minister Sakaguchi Chikara in the Diet n November 2002 mentioned the need to hold such talks.

Zen-iro and Zenroren on the same day published a joint statement demanding that the ministry cancel its decision to fire non-regular workers. It pointed out that the dismissal of these workers will destroy their living conditions and lower Japan's standard for medical care. (end)