ABSTRACT

The global COVID-19 pandemic exposed structural inequality perpetuated by neoliberalism. essential workers, including helping professionals, have experienced a high-stress level. This pilot study examined the challenges faced by social welfare workers in Japan during the pandemic. Japanese social welfare departments in municipal governments, which are primary providers of public assistance and social services, are staffed by government officers (GOs, permanent government employees) and non-regular frontline workers (NRs, hired on annual contracts, predominantly female, covering direct casework). Informed by narrative inquiries, five individual interviews of GOs and NRs were conducted. The thematic analysis highlighted the increased employment instability, individualisation, and powerlessness among NRs. NRs expressed intensified stress from the safety risk, long working hours, and insufficient organisational support. Stratified by different types of contracts, resultant tasks, and genders, NRs experienced intensified isolation, leading to burnout. The implications of working precariously in the pandemic under the neoliberal social welfare systems are discussed.

摘要

全球 COVID-19 大流行暴露了由新自由主义长期存在的结构性不平等。重要的工作人员，包括帮助专业人士，都经历了高压力。这项试点研究调查了日本社会福利工作者在大流行期间面临的挑战。日本市政府的社会福利部门是公共援助和社会服务的主要提供者，其工作人员由政府官员（GO，永久政府雇员）和非正规一线工人（NR，按年度合同聘用，主要是女性，负责直接个案工作）。根据叙述性调查，对 GO 和 NR 进行了五次单独访谈。专题分析强调了 NR 的就业不稳定性、个性化和无能为力。NR 表示，安全风险、工作时间长、组织支持不足等压力加剧。根据不同类型的合同、产生的任务和性别，NR 经历了加剧的孤立，导致倦怠。讨论了在新自由主义社会福利制度下在大流行中不稳定工作的影响。