Zenroren criticizes Nippon Keidanren's labor management policy

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Zenroren criticizes Nippon Keidanren's labor management policy

The National Confederation of Trade Unions (Zenroren) on December 19 criticized the Japan Business Federation (Nippon Keidanren) for ignoring corporate social responsibility and pursuing a policy that will increase social disparities in its 2007 Position Paper on Management and Human Resources.

In a statement issued by Secretary General Odagawa Yoshikazu, Zenroren pointed out that Nippon Keidanren's policy of totally ignoring the reality of working conditions and seeking increases in large corporations' profits with government assistance amounts to "forcing workers and labor unions to succumb." The statement denounced the policy for further aggravating the social distortions as is shown in the widening social gap and growing poverty rate.

While making a record profit by making use of "disguised contract work" and forcing workers to work without pay, Mitarai Fuijio, the Nippon Keidanren chair and the Canon Inc. chair, has been taking a defiant attitude towards criticism of his corporation's illegal practice.

The statement stressed, "Before calling for 'innovation', Nippon Keidanren must show the determination of the management to assume 'corporate social responsibility' based on observing work rules that meet international standards."

Zenroren expressed its determination to carry out the 2007 Spring Struggle to establish legitimate work rules, raise every worker's wage, and increase the minimum wage.
- Akahata, December 20, 2006