Zenroren calls for spring struggle to change politics

The National Confederation of Trade Unions (Zenroren) in its 30th meeting of board members held on January 30 and 31 in Tokyo decided on the policy of the 2002 Spring Struggle.

Zenroren President Kobayashi Yoji stated that this year's spring struggle should be devoted to changing politics and the economy toward defending jobs and people's livelihoods.

Bannai Mitsuo, general secretary, proposed three points: (1) oppose corporate restructuring and secure jobs; (2) raise the base wage, establish and improve the minimum wages; (3) struggle against adverse change in the medical insurance system.

Bannai stressed the need to cooperate with the Japanese Trade Union Confederation (Rengo) and all other trade unions in the struggle to defend and increase jobs.

The struggle toward a higher base wage includes the following points: over 1,000 yen hourly wage to any worker including part-time workers; the minimum wage should be established at over 1,000 yen per hour, over 7,400 yen per day, and over 150,000 yen a month.

The meeting adopted an appeal calling on the people to make the 2002 Spring Struggle a popular struggle to defend jobs and decent livelihoods.

A main action in the spring struggle will be a unified strike on April 12. (end)