TY - JOUR
T1 - Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on working students
T2 - Results from the Labour Force Survey and the student lifestyle survey
AU - Tsurugano, Shinobu
AU - Nishikitani, Mariko
AU - Inoue, Mariko
AU - Yano, Eiji
N1 - Funding Information:
The authors thank JN and KY from the University of Electro-Communications for designing the student survey questionnaire and for conducting the survey. This work was supported by JSPS KAKENHI Grant Numbers JP19K02523 and JP19K10565.
Funding Information:
There were 1,105 free descriptions. From the statements, we extracted the most frequently appearing words and phrases then categorized them based on context. The students’ voluntary statements were classified into five broad categories: Income (847 descriptions): Many students were struggling to make ends meet due to a sudden decrease or disruption in their or their parents’ household income. “ , . .” (1st year undergraduate). “ , , , . .” (1st year master's student). Several respondents stated that the expenses associated with taking virtual classes were a burden on their household budget. “ .” (3rd year undergraduate). Job search (354 descriptions): Many students expressed concern about their future employment prospects and their current job search. “ .” (2nd year undergraduate). “ .” (3rd year undergraduate student). “ , .” (2nd year master's student). “ . .” (4th year undergraduate). “ , .” (5th year undergraduate). Financial support (90 descriptions): Many students complained about problems related to compensation from companies for suspension of part‐time work and lack of financial support from the government for needy students. “ , .” (2nd year undergraduate). “ , , , , .” (4th year undergraduate). “ , , . , , .” (1st year master's student). Continuing studies (82 descriptions): In some cases, students described that they had difficulty continuing their studies and balancing their research activities due to financial hardships. “ , , , , . , .” (3rd year undergraduate student). “ , . , . , .” (4th year undergraduate). “ , , .” (2nd year master's student). Health (12 descriptions): With regard to health, several students commented that they were eating less frequently because of a decrease in part‐time income. “ , .” (3rd year undergraduate). “ … , , . , …” (4th year undergraduate). I’m a freshman but I can't even start a part‐time job because of the coronavirus My parents don't send me much money and I’m worried about my life My father a stage designer hasn't had any work since late February and my mother can't work because she is taking care of her grandfather My family is currently supported by my part‐time job and my father's savings The purchase of equipment and Internet service to use for virtual classes was expensive, and because I spent more time at home, my utility bills increased considerably. I make very little income from part‐time work, so in 2 months I will run out of money to live on I fear that the negative effects of the spread of the new coronavirus will extend to our employment period The number of companies accepting internships has decreased significantly and we may not be able to participate I received a job offer from a company but I’m worried that it might be cancelled due to the recession My friends have told me that some people have had their job offers rescinded and others have been unable to find a job because the industry they want to work in has stopped hiring altogether I worry that the effects of the pandemic are so severe that it will not be easy for me to find a job I can't have the opportunity to conduct an active job search such as going directly to the university's job search office and proactively communicating with the staff to obtain information about graduates working at the company in which I want to work My part‐time employer ordered me to take a leave of absence from work without pay, and I have not received any income since April I pay my own rent living expenses and so forth but my parents pay school fees so I am not eligible for the government's special benefit for students I used to work at an event every spring and summer only but when I lost that part‐time job my annual income was cut in half However I was not working all year round so I am not eligible for special student benefits My parents’ income is low so I have to make ends meet for tuition textbooks and food with part‐time work and scholarships but I’ve lost my part‐time job due to the Coronavirus disaster and I’m on the edge of making ends meet At this rate I’m going to have to draw down my savings for graduate school In recent months the hotel where my mother works to pay my tuition has experienced a significant decline in earnings As a result I have taken out new debt to pay for my school fees If I or my mother's employment situation worsens in the future I will have to give up my studies Because of the loss of part‐time work they will have to earn quite a bit of money once the state of emergency is lifted but science and engineering students will not be able to focus on their research My part‐time job income has been drastically reduced due to the effects of the coronavirus so I’ve been forced to cut back on food and other expenses My income has been reduced because of the reduced shifts at my part‐time job Anyway I’m home all of the time now so I’m eating one meal a day I’ve gotten used to it but I’m worried about my nutrition
Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 The Authors. Journal of Occupational Health published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of The Japan Society for Occupational Health
PY - 2021/3/1
Y1 - 2021/3/1
N2 - Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused devastating damage to employment globally, particularly among the non-standard workforce. The objective of this study was to identify the effects of the pandemic on the employment status and lives of working students in Japan. Methods: The Labour Force Survey (January 2019 to May 2020) was used to examine changes in students’ work situations. In addition, to investigate the economic and health conditions of university students during the pandemic, the Student Lifestyle Survey was conducted in late May 2020. This survey asked students at a national university in Tokyo about recent changes in their studies, work, and lives. Results: The number of working students reported in the Labour Force Survey has declined sharply since March 2020, falling by 780,000 (46%) in April. According to a survey of university students’ living conditions, 37% were concerned about living expenses and tuition fees, and a higher percentage of students who were aware of financial insecurity had poor self-rated health. Conclusion: Nearly half of working students have lost their jobs during the pandemic in Japan, which has affected their lives, studies, and health. There is a need to monitor the impact of economic insecurity on students’ studies and health over time, and to expand the safety net for disadvantaged students.
AB - Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused devastating damage to employment globally, particularly among the non-standard workforce. The objective of this study was to identify the effects of the pandemic on the employment status and lives of working students in Japan. Methods: The Labour Force Survey (January 2019 to May 2020) was used to examine changes in students’ work situations. In addition, to investigate the economic and health conditions of university students during the pandemic, the Student Lifestyle Survey was conducted in late May 2020. This survey asked students at a national university in Tokyo about recent changes in their studies, work, and lives. Results: The number of working students reported in the Labour Force Survey has declined sharply since March 2020, falling by 780,000 (46%) in April. According to a survey of university students’ living conditions, 37% were concerned about living expenses and tuition fees, and a higher percentage of students who were aware of financial insecurity had poor self-rated health. Conclusion: Nearly half of working students have lost their jobs during the pandemic in Japan, which has affected their lives, studies, and health. There is a need to monitor the impact of economic insecurity on students’ studies and health over time, and to expand the safety net for disadvantaged students.
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U2 - 10.1002/1348-9585.12209
DO - 10.1002/1348-9585.12209
M3 - Article
C2 - 33665926
AN - SCOPUS:85102682645
VL - 63
JO - Journal of Occupational Health
JF - Journal of Occupational Health
SN - 1341-9145
IS - 1
M1 - e12209
ER -
