Fukushima hospitals lay-offs

 February 27, 2015

Hospitals in evacuation zone to lay off workers

http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/news/20150227_48.html

Feb. 27, 2015 - Updated 11:41 UTC+1

The 2 remaining hospitals in the evacuation zone near the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant plan to lay off staff members after the plant's operator stops compensating evacuees.

The privately run hospitals in the Odaka district of Minamisoma City and Namie Town decided to lay off 45 people each. Operations at the hospitals have been suspended since the 2011 nuclear accident.

The plant operator, Tokyo Electric Power Company, has been paying compensation to evacuees who lost their jobs. But the program ends this month.

The hospitals say they cannot pay wages on their own. Their directors and administrative chiefs are to stay in their posts to find ways to reopen the facilities.
Fukushima Prefecture says 2 other private hospitals were operating in the evacuation zone, but have already dismissed their staffs.

Minamisoma City aims to lift an evacuation order in the Odaka district in April 2016. Namie Town hopes to do the same in 2 years.

Hospitals are seen as essential for a return of evacuees.

The layoffs could affect evacuees' decisions about whether to go back to their homes.