Isuzu in response to JCP says it will promote fixed-term workers to regular positions

Japan Press Weekly

Japan Press Service Co., Ltd. is the only news agency providing information of progressive, democratic movements in Japan

Isuzu in response to JCP says it will promote fixed-term workers to regular positions

Isuzu Motors Limited has informed Japanese Communist Party lawmakers that it will promote 800 fixed-term employees to full-time positions.

Isuzu Executive Officer Harada Masashi unveiled the plan on March 21 to JCP House of Councilors Koike Akira and JCP House of Representatives Shiokawa Tetsuya, who visited the automaker to request that its fixed-term employees be made full-time.

Although the company says the promotion will be on a trial basis, it is the result of the movement calling for an end to the illegal use of temporary workers in the guise of independent contractors and their promotion to full-time positions.

After the illegal use by Isuzu of temporary workers in the guise of independent contractors was exposed, Isuzu directly employed them on a fixed-term contract. However, using the provision limiting fixed-term contracts to 35 months as the pretext, Isuzu notified the fixed-term employees that their employment contracts would not be renewed from April 1.

Koike and Shiokawa had been demanding that the labor ministry issue a directive to Isuzu to revoke the dismissal notice.

The two JCP Dietmembers said to the Isuzu executive, “Many fixed-term workers are complaining about hardships they might face if their contracts are not renewed. The labor ministry also says that the first thing you must do is to provide stable employment.”

Harada replied that Isuzu was shifting its fixed-term workers to full-time positions in response to social needs. He admitted that since corporate restructuring at Isuzu in 2002, it has increased the number of temporary and contract workers, but that Isuzu will try to rebuild its production system by employing fixed-term workers as full-time employees or directly hiring them, and adding high school graduates to its payrolls.

Ending the use of temporary workers to employ more full-time workers is essential not only for the eradication of illegal labor practices but also for Japanese society in which the elimination of poverty and the revitalization of Japanese craftsmanship are needed.

- Akahata, March 22, 2008