- The government
adopted its 2000 budget proposal at its cabinet meeting on 24
December. The general account of the proposed budget is about
85 trillion Japanese Yen which is highest ever (3.8% raise compared
to the last year's original budget). The annual expenditure is
about 48 trillion Japanese Yen, which is 2.6% raise compared
to last year. Annual income will be generated by issuing about
32 trillion-Yen national bonds. According to the Minister of
Finance Mr. Miyazawa, this budget will not require revision.
However,
this proposed budget lacks the measures which could breakthrough
the current unemployment problem and solve the uncertainty in
people's lives. The proposed budget has to be amended completely.
- RENGO has demanded
a budget which includes measures to solve problems in life such
as job creation, recovery in consumption and stability of social
security infrastructure. It has demanded 2% of economic growth
and reduction of the level of unemployment to less than 4%.
The
government's budget proposal for the year 2000, which was adopted
at the cabinet meeting hardly includes any steps to create new
employment. Allowances for unemployment insurance and social
security in the budget are not at all sufficient. Public works
should be emphasised to revitalise local economy and stabilise
people's lives. However, public works in the proposed budget
only includes improvements of harbours, fish ports and development
of agricultural and rural areas, afforestation, and flood control.
They are based on the jurisdiction of the central ministries
and their agencies. Measures which are required by people and
local communities are not included in the proposed budget.
- The social security
system should be reformed. As for these items, a budget for the
social security is increased by 4.1% whereas a reform of the
national pension scheme was postponed. The Budget for supplying
the business of nursing insurance is insufficient. It does not
show a complete reform of the medical system. They will increase
medical treatment fees on patients' expenses. Patients are required
to pay much more as their part for expensive medical costs and
meals at a hospital. The age limit for the child allowance will
be extended to 6 years old; however, in order to cover the additional
costs, the government will reduce tax deduction for younger dependants
by 100,000 Yen for families whose children go to primary school
and junior high school. As for environmental measures, actions
such as treatment of waste, recycling methods are not sufficient.
The budget which neglects people's lives will not lead to economic
recovery and will not resolve the insecurity in people's lives.
- Workers strongly
call for steps which could breakthrough the serious crisis in
employment and in life such as the pro-longed economic recession,
decline of actual wages for past three years and the worst rate
of unemployment after the World War II.
RENGO listens
to people's voices and will demand at the next ordinary diet
session the government and the political parties the implementation
of measures which improve people's lives such as resolving high
unemployment through the creation of employment, establishing
a reliable pension, reforming medical and nursing schemes, and
strengthening environmental measures.
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