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

KitKat retracts dismissal of 5 workers

Five former contract employees of Nestle Confectionery K.K. on November 28 won an out-of-court settlement with the company in the Osaka High Court over their dismissal.

The Nestle Group company agreed to retract their dismissal, pay them settlement money, and accept their retirement.

Yamada Akira, chair of the Osaka Headquarters of the National Union of General Workers' Union (Zenroren Zenkoku Ippan), and Higashi Keiko, chair of the Zenroren Zenkoku Ippan KitKat Branch, issued a statement on the same day.

Thanking everyone for the nationwide support, they said, "The number of workers in unstable employment is increasing and labor legislation is being adversely revised. A victorious district court ruling and the subsequent settlement in the Osaka High Court are very significant."

On June 30, 2003, the five workers in charge of promoting sweets, including KitKat, at Nestle Confectionery K.K., Kansai, had been fired, despite their contract period, on the grounds that their positions would be outsourced. The five soon filed a lawsuit with the Osaka District Court against the company, calling for withdrawal of their dismissals and payment of wages in back pay. On March 30, 2005, the district court ruled that their dismissals were invalid, but the company appealed to the high court.
- Akahata, December 2, 2005