Last of two parts

Temporary workers are bearing the brunt of cost-cutting measures taken by businesses, especially in the manufacturing sector, to weather the recession.

In November, the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry announced that since October, 30,067 temps have either been let go or will be out of work by March. The actual number, however, is certainly much higher, given that subsidiaries of major car manufacturers are not required to report layoffs to the ministry.