256,000 non-regular workers losing jobs

A Japanese government survey shows more than 250,000 non-regular workers lost jobs or will lose them in the 18 months between October 2008 and March this year.

The labor ministry conducted the survey on companies nationwide to monitor their layoff plans.

As of January 20th, over 256,000 non-regular workers became jobless or are expected to lose their jobs due to completion of their contracts or early termination. This is an increase of more than 6,000 from December.

Of this total, about 147,000 were dispatched by staffing agencies. 59,000 others were seasonal staff, and about 20,000 were contract workers.

The ministry tracked down over 120,000 of the laid-off workers, and found that only 55 percent have been able to find new jobs.