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Japan Press Service Co., Ltd. is the only news agency providing information of progressive, democratic movements in Japan

Government workers hold demonstration against unpaid work

About 200 government workers marched in a demonstration at lunchtime on October 5 through the government district of Tokyo, calling for the elimination of long working hours and unpaid overtime work.

Participants were complaining about their heavy workloads. Many say that they are frequently forced to work late into the night without overtime pay.

A 51-year-old worker at the Health, Labor, and Welfare Ministry said, "The number of employees is too small to get the day's work done. The government and the ministry rule that we should leave the office on time on Wednesdays and Fridays, but it exists only in name. We want more effective regulation."

The government plans to cut the number of government employees by 28,000 in four years from 2006, arguing that further cutbacks on personnel and wages are required.

The demonstration was sponsored by four public workers' unions, including the Japan Federation of National Public Service Employees' Unions. -- Akahata, October 6, 2005