Zenroren calls for change away from pro-business system

Japan Press Weekly

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

Zenroren calls for change away from pro-business system

The National Confederation of Trade Unions (Zenroren) held its 25th Regular Convention from July 21?23 in Tokyo under the slogan, "Utilizing the Japanese Constitution, let's eliminate poverty and social gaps, improve working, living, and business conditions, and create a peaceful world!"

The Convention adopted a two year action program. Under the new action program, Zenroren will work to change the social and economic system which puts large corporations first, resolve the issue of poverty and social gaps, develop quality of jobs through a ban on long work hours with excessive workloads and realization of equal treatment, and improve social welfare programs.

On the first day of the Convention, Zenroren Secretary General Odagawa Yoshikazu in his presentation of the action program pointed out that due to the present Japanese economic system heavily relying on foreign demand and an overconcentration of wealth in the hands of large companies, the poverty rate among workers and the general public is increasing. In addition, small- and medium-sized enterprises are having difficulty surviving and local economies are being impoverished.

Odagawa called on Zenroren members to organize a people's movement to decrease poverty and economic inequality by demanding the establishment of rules requiring a more equitable distribution of wealth.

Citing the fact that both ruling and opposition parties, except the Japanese Communist Party, compete with each other to build a "small government" which abandons government responsibilities for public services, Odagawa stressed the need to increase Zenroren movements against the government plan to shift national government responsibility to local governments and the private sector. He also emphaisized the importance of Zenroren efforts to secure jobs and improve working conditions of public workers.

During the Convention, delegates from various industrial and local unions exchanged their experiences and views.

A delegate from Hiroshima Prefecture in his report said, "Compared to before, ten times more workers accept our leaflets even right in front of the main gate of Mazda Motor Corporation. Through our struggle against Mazda's forcible reduction in the unit price of parts for subcontractors, we successfully organized such subcontractors' workers."

A member of the Japan Federation of Prefectural and Municipal Workers' Union (Jichiroren) said that the number of workplaces where more than half of the staff are non-regular workers is increasing and that such workers work with no prospect of pay raises and no paid holidays.

A member of the All-Japan Federation of Automobile Transport Workers' Unions (Jiko-soren) reported that after their seven-year struggle against the government deregulation policy which caused an excessive supply of taxies, the government has decided to reverse its policy.

The Convention elected a new leadership, including re-elected Zenroren President Daikoku Masaji and Secretary General Odagawa Yoshikazu.

At a news conference held after the Convention, Daikoku said, "Zenroren will stand up against the government policy of subservience to big business interests and will make its utmost effort to resolve the urgent issue of increasing poverty and social inequalities."

On the first day of the Convention, Japanese Communist Party Secretariat Head Ichida Tadayoshi delivered a speech in solidarity.

- Akahata, July 22, 23, and 24, 2010