 Company promises compliance with law in treating its employees In a "human rights lawsuit" filed by two workers demanding that their company stop discriminating against them because of their Japanese Communist Party membership, Kurabo, a major Japanese fabrics manufacturer on March 31 promised to treat all employees equally, regardless of ideology or political affiliation. The company also agreed to pay 46 million yen in settlement money to Ito Takeo, 61, and 35 million yen to Shukichi Miyazaki, 56. In the out-of-court settlement, Kurabo stated that it will treat its employees equally and fairly. It also plans to promote Miyazaki to a managerial position although it did not state that in the settlement. Joining Kurabo in 1967 as a researcher, Ito was repeatedly told by his boss, "If you quit the JCP, you will be given a job as a researcher." Because of his refusal, the company forced him to do chores such as garbage disposal, weeding, and gutter cleaning. Miyazaki, who started working for Kurabo in 1971 as an engineer, has been forced to work for a Kurabo subsidiary company for more than 20 years. Ito and Miyazaki brought the case to the Osaka District Court in April 2000. Although they won the lawsuit in May 2003, the company still isolated the two workers from other employees and refused to promote them. Ito said, "I will retire in May, But I will continue to fight to defend workers' rights and their freedom of expression." Miyazaki said, "I am proud to be a JCP member. I will continue to listen to workers' demands." The two workers expressed their gratitude to about 7,800 groups and more than 60,000 individuals for signing a petition in support of their lawsuit. (end) |