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Increasing Support for Care Workers in Japan

Recent findings from a survey conducted by Levwell Co., a prominent recruitment service for care staff, show that about 61% of current care workers in Japan are hopeful about potential pay raises stemming from the government's 2025 supplementary budget proposal. Most respondents, around 34.2%, expect increases of more than 50,000 yen monthly, significantly outpacing the government's proposed support of 19,000 yen per worker.

Survey Highlights

• - Expectations on Pay Increase: The survey included 474 care workers nationwide. A remarkable 32.3% expressed they were 'very hopeful' about the wage increase, while 28.7% indicated they were 'somewhat hopeful.' On the contrary, a combined total of 25.3% answered they were either 'not very hopeful' or 'not hopeful at all.' This suggests a polarized view regarding the expected impact of the proposed budget.

• - Desired Improvements: Aside from expected pay raises, 70.9% of respondents wish to see improvements in workplace conditions, particularly through increased staffing levels, which would reduce their workload. Additionally, enhancing flexibility in work practices and improving interpersonal relationships at the workplace were also highlighted as crucial areas for improvement.

Perspectives from the Care Workforce

The ongoing challenges facing care staff go beyond pay. Many workers underlined the importance of feeling adequately compensated for their responsibilities, emphasizing that the current wage structure leaves them feeling insecure about their financial wellbeing despite the importance of their roles in caring for vulnerable populations.

Some voices from the survey include:

• - Optimistic Voices: A 30-something male social worker from Osaka expressed, 'I appreciate the improvement in treatment for care workers, as it will enhance our motivation. If more people learn about these changes, we could see an increase in applicants to the field.'
• - Voices of Concern: A 50-something male care worker from Ishikawa stated, 'The current pay makes it hard to sustain my household. It feels like the responsibilities are not reflected in the wage level we receive.'

Job Retention Insights

When looking at job retention, approximately 71.3% of the surveyed care workers stated they would be more inclined to continue working if pay increases materialized. However, if the pay raise falls short of their expectations, about 36.9% admitted they would consider changing jobs. This presents a significant concern for the care industry, which is already grappling with a chronic labor shortage.

Government Initiatives for Sustainable Improvement

In light of Japan's accelerating aging society and escalating care needs, the government aims to address these issues through economic support initiatives aimed at improving care worker salaries. Levwell's survey sought to elucidate the expectations and challenges of care workers, helping to guide future operational strategies in care facilities and retention initiatives.

The Road Ahead

While the anticipation for a pay raise is a positive sign for the morale of care workers, it is crucial to address the underlying workplace challenges concurrently. Calls for increased staffing levels and better workplace conditions must accompany any financial incentives to create a sustainable workforce. Effective changes in the industry's structure are needed to ensure that care workers can thrive in their roles, ultimately leading to better care for the elderly and disabled populations.

Levwell is committed to addressing these challenges by helping to connect care facilities with qualified candidates, ensuring a stable workforce suited to meet the growing demand in the health and care sectors. As Japan continues to grapple with its demographic changes, it is pivotal that those within the industry have a voice and are supported adequately, both morally and financially.