Discussions on revamping the employment insurance scheme are underway by a panel of the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry, with the focus on whether to extend coverage to people over the age of 64 who find jobs with new employers. While the move is in line with the government's push to get more elderly people to join the labor force, this also concerns the bigger issue of livelihood security for seniors. The panel should thoroughly discuss what roles the employment of senior citizens, the livelihood protection welfare program for them and other measures should play in the overall social safety net and how they can best complement each other.
Companies employing any employees who work at least 20 hours a week are required in principle to take part in the employment insurance program, and employees who work at least 20 hours a week are insured under the scheme. Businesses and workers each shoulder about a half of the premiums. The scheme provides unemployment allowances for workers if they lose their job. It also offers child care leave allowances, allowances for workers temporarily laid off by companies in crisis in their attempt to keep the business afloat and allowances for worker training by employers.
Currently, people who continue to work for the same company after turning 65 can be covered by the employment insurance scheme. But workers who have reached that age and find a job with another company cannot participate.