人手不足、企業の７割に影響＝地方で深刻な求人難－労働経済白書

　厚生労働省が２７日公表した２０１９年版「労働経済の分析」（労働経済白書）で、深刻化する人手不足により企業の約７割で経営面に影響が出ていることが分かった。地方では求人を出しても応募がない企業が多く、一段と厳しい経営環境に直面している。
　従業員２０人以上を抱える全国約２万社を対象に調査し、４５９９社から回答を得た。具体的には、経営に影響が出ている企業のうち、最多の４３％が「既存事業の運営への支障」を挙げた。「技術やノウハウの伝承」「新規需要に対応できない」といった悪影響も４割近くで生じている。（2019/09/27-10:20）

Labor shortages are affecting business operations at some 70 pct of Japanese companies, with firms in the countryside in particular facing a severe situation, an annual report from the labor ministry revealed Friday.
   The 2019 white paper on the labor economy showed the results of a survey carried out for some 20,000 companies with 20 or more workers across Japan. Of them, 4,599 gave responses.
   Of the companies that cited problems arising from labor shortages, 43 pct, the largest group, said that their existing operations have been affected. Nearly 40 pct each cited difficulties passing down techniques and know-how to younger generations and meeting new customer demand.
   Asked about factors behind labor shortages, some 70 pct said it is becoming difficult to hire new workers.
   According to the survey, 51.7 pct of companies in the Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya metropolitan areas said that they have seen no applications to job positions they offered. The proportion was higher in regions other than the three major urban areas, at 67.5 pct.