7 female temporary workers fight against Shiseido’s dismissal

Japan Press Weekly

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

7 female temporary workers fight against Shiseido’s dismissal

Seven female workers, who worked as contract workers at Japan’s major cosmetic maker Shiseido’s Kamakura factory in Kanagawa Prefecture, are waging a court struggle demanding revocation of their dismissals.

They are members of the Anfini branch of the National Union of General Workers’ Union affiliated with the National Confederation of Trade Unions (Zenroren-Zenkoku-ippan).

Shiseido’s contractor, Anfini Corporation in May laid off 22 contract workers, including Zenkoku-ippan Anfini branch chair Ikeda Kazuyo, before their contracts expired due to Shiseido’s announcement of a decrease in production. Anfini also dismissed Tsuyuki Mika and another contract worker shortly after they joined the union.

Ikeda worked for eight years and five months at the Kamakura factory and Tsuyuki worked for six years and two months.

In fact, at the Kamakura factory, materials and production lines were provided by Shiseido for Anfini.

Ikeda said, “Although my wage was half that of full-time workers, I could bear it because I take pride in helping to maintain Shiseido product quality. I, however, couldn’t put up with Anfini and Shiseido using workers as disposables.”

Shiseido reported a net profit of 19.4 billion yen in the first three months of the year and increased dividends to shareholders by 1.5 times from the previous year. While using low-wage female workers to increase profits, Shiseido shows no signs of establishing responsible employment practices. A Shiseido official said, “This is an issue between the contract company Anfini and its contract workers, and it’s not our business.”

Shiseido promotes itself as a female-friendly company by sending its vice president to the government panel on gender equality and improving the working environment for women.

Ikeda stated, “It is unacceptable that a company unhesitatingly replaces full-time workers with low-wage temporary workers just to increase profits. I will continue my struggle until I regain my job by getting Shiseido to fulfill its social responsibility.”

- Akahata, December 11, 2009