DYLJ took to the streets as 'troubleshooters' to help young workers solve
their problems

Democratic Youth League of Japan (DYLJ) members took to the streets
throughout the country to listen to, and help solve problems of young
workers who are the hardest hit in the present economic recession.

Calling themselves "troubleshooters for workers," DYLJ members set up
counseling stations in major cities of all 47 prefectures (including Tokyo)
from October 20 to 22 for young workers with job-related problems.

In Japan, young people have difficulty finding jobs. Many receive pink
slips on short notice. Even those who have jobs are forced to work in
wretched working conditions.

Professional counseling was provided with the help of trade union
activists, lawyers, and Japanese Communist Party local assembly members.

In unveiling the "troubleshooter" plan at a news conference on October
18, Sakai Nozomi, DYLJ Central Committee chair, said that the DYLJ wants to
reach out to many of those people who have never thought of discussing their
problems with someone else. "We want to encourage them to raise their voices
calling for change in the workplace and society, so they can work and live
free of affliction," she said.

On October 21, Sakai was in Shibuya, one of Tokyo's busiest downtown
districts that attracts many young people.

A computer company worker complained that he is working about ten hours
overtime every day.

A transportation worker complained that he is not covered by any social
insurance plan because he is a part-time worker.

An insurance company worker said that he has to work until 10 pm or 11 pm
every night. A DYLJ member told him to speak up in the workplace instead of
giving up hope for working conditions to be improved.

The man said he was thinking that he should do something and so he joined
the "Young People's Network for Changing Japan together with the JCP." (end)