SpringStruggle3

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

Osaka part-timers call for an hourly pay hike

Calling for an increase in hourly wages, about 600 part-timers on March 3 marched through downtown Osaka in a demonstration organized by the Osaka Federation of Trade Unions (Osaka-Roren).

At a rally held in Kensaki Park prior to the parade, Hatano Mari of the Osaka-Roren part-timers and non-regular workers liaison council said, "Our efforts last year pushed up the minimum hourly wage by four yen to 708 yen (about 6.1 dollars). I want to further strengthen our efforts to get a 1,000 yen-an-hour wage."

Pointing out that one out of every three workers are non-regular workers, Kubota Yoshio of the Osaka-Roren expressed his determination to carry forward movements with workers who are forced to work under poor working conditions.

A survey published by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications on March 3 showed that the rate of non-regular employment -- part-time, temporary, and contract workers -- hit a record 32.6 percent of the workforce in 2005. For woman workers alone, the rate reached 52.5 percent.

The total workforce, excluding company executives, increased by 320,000 from the previous year, but the number of regular workers decreased by 360,000 in contrast with a 690,000-increase of non-regular workers.
- Akahata, March 4, 2006