Workers in concerted action call for peace, job security and better medical
system
Some 12,000 workers demonstrated all day long through the government
office district on October 24, chanting opposition to corporate
restructuring, adverse revision of the medical services system, and
deregulation.
The "Angry workers' action in Kasumigaseki" was organized by the
National Confederation of Trade Unions (Zenroren).
About 6,000 workers attended the main rally at Hibiya Amphitheater. After
the rally, about 2,000 people carried out a protest action at the Finance
Ministry and the Financial Services Agency, demanding that the government
push major banks into ending their reluctance to lend money to small- and
medium-sized businesses in danger of bankruptcy.
The Telecommunication Industry Workers' Union went on strike in many NTT
offices in Japan in protest against the 110,000 job cut plan, and staged a
three-day sit-in in front of the NTT Group head office in Chiyoda Ward.
About 5,000 medical services workers, including Japan Federation of
Medical Workers' Unions (Nihon-iroren) members attended a rally calling for
the protection of reliable medical systems at the amphitheater. After the
rally, representatives visited the Health, Welfare and Labor Ministry to
demand that the government give up its plan to adversely revise the medical
service systems.
A rally calling for the "protection of people's safety and lives" was
held (with about 4,000 workers taking part) by the Japan Federation of
Aviation Workers' Unions, the Japan Federation of Flight Crew Unions, and
the Nihon-iroren.
Some 500 captains and flight attendants in uniforms made representations
to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, demanding that
civilian airports not be used for military purposes, deregulation be
reviewed so that maintenance errors are prevented, and long-hour flights be
ended.
The National Campaign for Defense of the People's Food and Health and the
National Federation of Farmers Movement went to the Ministry of Agriculture,
Forestry and Fisheries, calling for an invocation of safeguards to protect
local industries of vegetables, towels, and shoes. They also demanded
compensation for the loss of revenues caused by the mad cow disease. (end)