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

Zenroren ends its Convention upon electing new leadership

The National Confederation of Trade Unions (Zenroren) held its 22nd Regular Convention from July 26-28 in Tokyo, focusing on the tasks of promoting the national struggle and encouraging broader cooperation to defend workers and the public in general from government and corporate attacks.

The Convention elected Ban'nai Mitsuo (former Zenroren secretary general) as the new Zenroren president and Odagawa Yoshikazu (present general secretary of the Japan Federation of State Employees Unions) as the new Zenroren secretary general.

More than 400 delegates of local and industrial unions adopted a unanimous 2-year action program and a medium-term plan to achieve a Zenroren membership of two million.

Under the new action program, Zenroren will demand a wage increase for all workers including contingent workers, the establishment of a national minimum wage system to secure the minimum cost of living, and equal treatment between full-time and contingent workers while waging a campaign against the performance-based pay system.

The Zenroren Convention confirmed that it will oppose the U.S. military realignment plan, as well as tax increases, a series of plans to adversely reform labor laws, the cuts in welfare and medical services, and moves to adversely revise the Constitution, demanding that a "national minimum" based on the concept that nationally securing minimum living standards for all people must be established.

Regarding the new international organization to be established in November after the dissolutions of the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU) and the World Confederation of Labor (WCL), Zenroren will begin considering whether to join it from the standpoint of strengthening international solidarity of trade unions in the struggle against neo-liberal policies promoted by multinational corporations.

At a news conference after the Convention, Ban'nai expressed hope that Zenroren will increase efforts to organize contingent and foreign workers in Japan.

He also said that Zenroren will make efforts to narrow the social gaps, reduce the poverty rate, revive local economies, increase Zenroren's social status, and take active part in international solidarity with foreign unions.

One feature of this year's Zenroren Convention was that many young workers spoke in discussion sessions, showing a sign of Zenroren progress.

On the first day of the Convention, Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo and representatives of various organizations spoke in solidarity with Zenroren. (See separate item)

Four overseas guests from the Korean Confederation Trade Unions (KCTU), the Center for Indian Trade Unions (CITU), and the General Confederation of Workers (CGT) of France were also present at the Convention.
- Akahata, July 29, 2006