The Present and Future of “Half Welfare and Half Employment” : Examining Employment Support for People with Disabilities

Abstract

The term “Half Welfare and Half Employment” does not always hold the same meanings, ideas and conditions. Sometimes it is used to signify a new style of work life for people who have difficulty in a competitive job environment, and it is sometimes criticized as a term that refers to work activities with unacceptably low standards in a more positive way. Although the meaning of this term is varied and shifting, we can also identify some important features by analyzing how it has been constructed and utilized. Through this analysis, I will attempt to derive the possibility for creating a new system of services for people in vulnerable labor market positions.