Rengo promises to support pro-war Komei candidates

The Japanese Trade Union Confederation (Rengo) in Osaka is moving toward cooperating with the Komei Party in the simultaneous local elections.

Rengo is the largest national trade union center that comprises company unions at large corporations and supports the Democratic Party of Japan.

Rengo Osaka on March 20 promised the Komei Party to support eight Komei candidates. The promised cooperation is obviously aimed at blocking the election of Japanese Communist Party candidates in constituencies where the DPJ does not put up candidates.

Akahata of April 3 said that for trade unions to support the Komei Party is a betrayal of workers who call for peace and the defense of their living conditions, the reason being that it is a ruling party that supports the U.S. war on Iraq and the adverse revision of the health insurance and pension systems.

In workplaces, workers are enraged at the electoral cooperation between Rengo and the Komei Party. "Why must we vote for pro-war Komei candidates?" "Has the trade union fallen so far as having to ask for Komei's help?" Rengo's electoral promise with the Komei Party has increased the contradiction between the Rengo leadership and its members. (end)