Unionists hold rally demanding that Toyota secure jobs for workers and suppliers

Japan Press Weekly

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

Unionists hold rally demanding that Toyota secure jobs for workers and suppliers

About 1,600 people from around the country assembled in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture on February 11 to hold a rally demanding that Toyota Motor Corporation fulfill its corporate social responsibility.

The action's organizing committee consisted of the Aichi Prefectural Confederation of Trade Unions (Ai-roren) and various other labor organizations.

Speaking on behalf of the organizing committee, Ai-roren President Hane Katsuaki criticized major companies for refusing to use their internal reserves to defend jobs by stating, 'If they recognize the current major economic downturn as the first in a hundred years, when will they use their internal reserves, if not immediately?"

In the rally, a laid-off temporary worker at a Toyota affiliated auto parts manufacturer said, 'By joining the All-Japan Metal and Information Machinery Workers' Union, I won the revocation of my dismissal and got my job back. If many workers join or organize unions and take actions, we can win."

After the rally, participants marched on the Toyota headquarters, appealing to the public by chanting, 'Say no to Toyota's arrogance! Stop layoffs of temporary workers! Increase wages and for Toyota to fulfill its responsibility to its sub-contractors!"

- Akahata, February 12, 2009