Japan Press Weekly

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2013 May 15 - 21 [LABOR]

Cross-union unity will stand against labor deregulation

Beyond the boundaries of national centers, representatives of union confederations on May 15 met together in Tokyo and unanimously confirmed that they will unite to oppose the government intent to relax dismissal regulations.

The Labour Lawyers Association of Japan acted as a bridge between the National Confederation of Trade Unions (Zenroren), the Japanese Trade Union Confederation (Rengo), the National Trade Union Council (Zenrokyo), and independent unions.

Head of the legal group Ukai Yoshiaki reported on regulations on dismissals in Europe and under the ILO Convention, and criticized the argument Prime Minister Abe is using to rationalize the deregulations. Ukai said, “Though regulations concerning layoff in Japan are not strict at all, he is spreading disinformation that the Japanese rules are too rigid.”

Nemoto Itaru, professor of law at Osaka City University, said, “Regulations on dismissals are the very basis of labor legislation. It is necessary to further improve, not relax, them.”

The Abe government is, by arguing that the labor protection law impedes active corporate practices, considering creating a system of “cash resolutions for dismissal disputes” and a new type of “regular employee with limited job categories and work time” in order to facilitate smooth labor cuts.