Zenroren determined to focus on jobs and peace in 2003 spring struggle

About 240 union leaders attended the New Year assembly of the National Confederation of Trade Unions (Zenroren) on January 8 in Tokyo and confirmed that this year's Spring Struggle is very important for the protection of jobs and defense of peace.

Addressing the gathering, Zenroren President Kumagai Kanemichi criticized the U.S. government for preparing to attack Iraq. He also denounced Japan's business organizations for pushing for the consumption tax rate to be raised.

Noting that business leaders are openly declaring wage cuts while major unions at large corporations are failing to demand a wage increase, Kumagai stressed that Zenroren will strengthen its effort to win a pay raise for all workers and block the adverse revisions of labor laws.

Speaking on behalf of the Japanese Communist Party, Ichida Tadayoshi, JCP Secretariat head, said that the phrase "severe situation," which is often used to describe Japan's economic conditions, should rather be used to describe the Liberal Democratic Party at an impasse. He stressed that the JCP and democratic forces, including Zenroren, stand for the mainstream of history.

Ichida expressed appreciation for the important role that the 13-year-old Zenroren has played not only in the labor movement but also in the peace and democratic movements, such as the struggle against wartime legislation. (end)