 Public government employees resolve to defend peace and oppose structural reform policy The Japan Federation of Prefectural Workers' Unions (Jichiroren) held its 26th regular convention for three days from August 23 in Otsu City in Shiga Prefecture. The federation of local government employees is affiliated with the National Confederation of Trade Unions (Zenroren). In the opening speech Jichiroren Chair Komaba Tadachika warned that Japan now stands at the brink of becoming a major war-capable country and a fiercely competitive society completely ruled by the law of the jungle. He called for workers' utmost efforts to prevent constitutional revision. The federation proposed a policy of action to oppose the "structural reform" policy of the Koizumi Cabinet and defend livelihoods, local self-government, and the war-renouncing Constitution. During the discussion that followed the proposal, a delegate from Osaka reported about a city's movement, supported by citizens, to maintain the independent school lunch system instead of outsourcing the lunch to private caterers. A Saitama delegate said that the prefecture had allowed private companies to enter the pre-school child market. The participants agreed on the need to oppose government moves to impose mergers of cities, towns, and villages. On August 25, the convention adopted with an overwhelming majority the policy of opposing structural reform. Matsumoto Toshihiro, acting secretary general, before closing the session stressed that the discussions brought to light that trade unions have no cause other than struggling for people's well-being. (end) |