Government Babysitters?
The Yomiuri Shimbun of July 20 reports that in an effort to curb the declining fertility rate, the Japanese Government is considering plans to make it easier for working mothers to hire a babysitter.
Under the plan, the government would provide financial assistance to cover the cost of using a babysitter--a heavy burden for many parents--by partial subsidization, and by introducing a tax exemption scheme according to the amount spent. College students would be hired to fill the babysitting positions. The government hopes to start implementing its plans in fiscal 2007.
Most babysitter agencies charge about 1,500 yen per hour, and, according to the All-Japan Babysitter Association, which has a membership of 110 companies to dispatch babysitters, an estimated 40 percent of users spend more than 50,000 yen per month on babysitting.
Under the plan, the government would provide financial assistance to cover the cost of using a babysitter--a heavy burden for many parents--by partial subsidization, and by introducing a tax exemption scheme according to the amount spent. College students would be hired to fill the babysitting positions. The government hopes to start implementing its plans in fiscal 2007.
Most babysitter agencies charge about 1,500 yen per hour, and, according to the All-Japan Babysitter Association, which has a membership of 110 companies to dispatch babysitters, an estimated 40 percent of users spend more than 50,000 yen per month on babysitting.
posted by Blogmaster | 5:50 AM
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