Big business IHI workers come to doubt profit-first corporate values

With the U.S.-British war on Iraq intensifying and the simultaneous local elections starting in Japan, the political climate at large corporations is showing signs of gradual change.

Akahata of April 5 ran a story of the Japanese Communist Party branches at Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries, a major heavy machinery maker. JCP branches at IHI are carrying out a campaign calling on about 5,000 voters in IHI to support the JCP.

Up to several years before, IHI workshops were characterized by strong anti-communist feelings. Workers were worried about their being ostracized if they communicated with JCP members. They sidestepped politics and the JCP as topics of conversation.

As corporate restructuring proceeded, workers were numerically reduced and workload increased. Some workers have begun to consult JCP members on views of life.

A male employee near retirement age said, "Technical progress has enabled the company to produce better products at a lower cost. Why must workers have to shoulder heavier workloads for less pay?" The JCP member explained that government policy is one of helping corporations to restructure themselves exclusively to increase their profits, resulting in massive unemployment and business failures. At his request to vote for the JCP to change the misgovernment, the worker said, "I can't say for sure, but I suspect that my wife has voted for the JCP."

Another worker questioned why management fails to help engineers seek further technological development. A JCP member said, "In the corporate profit-first policy, engineers are disposable." The worker agreed with this, saying that the company's present concern is to get orders and improve cash flow. The JCP member said that the Koizumi "structural reform" policy is to drive internationally uncompetitive industries and businesses out of the market and to shift funds to promising businesses. The worker said he would think of voting for the JCP in the election.

The JCP branch gave a piece of advice to a worker who was to be restructured to reject the early retirement offer and stay.

Recently, workers talk about the Iraq war during the recess period after lunch. JCP members are rather surprised at such political issues popping up in their talks.

In March, the JCP organization at the IHI asked the company president to express opposition to the Iraq war and call for a peaceful resolution.

Workers say that the United States is aiming at controlling the world through military strength. They say that it is a shame that the Japanese government is following in the U.S. footsteps.

A JCP member said to them: "If we accept this illegal war, it will help the trend of neo-conservatism which accepts the rule by the strong over the weak. Let us vote for the anti-war JCP in the local elections. A JCP victory is the way to change the government position on the war." (end)