General Workers Union-Zenroren holds annual congress

The National Union of General Workers (Zenkokuippan) affiliated with the National Confederation of Trade Unions (Zenroren) held its 14th annual congress in Atami City, Shizuoka Prefecture on August 25.

Zenkokuippan is a union of individual workers, without regard to occupation, industry, or employment status. Every worker, including regular employees, contract, temporary and part-time workers, can join the union.

The union has endeavored to establish a universal minimum wage system and a system for defending small- and medium-sized businesses and local economies. During the past year, the union has got 2,000 new members, many of whom are young and part-time workers.

A delegate from Tokyo reported that in wage negotiations with his company president he explained that the universal minimum wage system will protect small- and medium-sized businesses, which are troubled by major companies' outrageous orders to cut prices.

"The president understood that the union was helpful, and later encouraged non-member workers to join the union," he said.

Omori Takeshi, Japanese Communist Party House of Representatives member, made a speech at the congress. (end)