Workers stage protest against auto manufacturer

About 1,300 workers converged at the main factory of Toyota Motor Corporation in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture, on February 11 to demand that the largest Japanese auto maker stop bullying its workers and subscontractors.

The action was organized by the Aichi Prefectural Federation of Trade Unions and other union organizations in order to press Japan's largest auto maker to fulfill its social responsibilities.

The participants, who came from different parts of Japan, gathered in front of the factory holding placards reading, "Don't abuse your employees, Mr. Okuda!" and "Hire more young people!"

Toyota is headed by Okuda Hiroshi, chair of the Japan Business Federation (Japan Keidanren). Producing a record profit of more than 1 trillion yen, the company is forcing wage cuts and excessive workloads on its employees and unit-price cuts on its subcontractors. (end)