Zenroren at its New Year assembly calls for increased efforts to defend citizens' livelihood in 2004 spring struggle

More than 200 union leaders on January 8 attended the New Year Assembly of the National Confederation of Trade Unions (Zenroren) in Tokyo and pledged to increase efforts to defend peace and living conditions.

Zenroren President Kumagai Kanemichi in his speech stressed that the task is for the labor movement to use the 2004 Spring Struggle, which will take place at a time when the business circles are increasing their attacks on workers, as an opportunity to eliminate citizens' concerns about their livelihoods.

Kumagai also stated that in order to block an adverse revision of the pension system, Zenroren will organize workers' strikes.

Speaking on behalf of the Japanese Communist Party, JCP Secretariat Head Ichida Tadayoshi said that the worsening situation of Iraq shows who are increasingly isolated in the international community: the U.S. and its follower Japan.

Ichida expressed his determination to increase the JCP's seats in the House of Councilors election in July. (end)