JCP calls for revision of Worker Dispatch Law

   The Japanese Communist Party has proposed revising the Worker Dispatch Law with the aim of encouraging employers to give temporary workers full-time positions or give them equal treatment as full-time workers.

   At a news conference on December 17, JCP Secretariat Head Ichida Tadayoshi said, “We are determined to get the Worker Dispatch Law drastically revised to protect temporary workers.”

Calling for the principle to be confirmed that workers must be employed directly and permanently, the JCP demands that the use of temporary workers be recognized only in exceptional cases and be allowed only when companies need workers to do temporary duties and that short-term employment and dispatches of workers by staffing agencies should be placed under strict regulation.

   The current Worker Dispatch Law requires companies to offer temporary workers direct employment after three years. The JCP proposes that in this case, employers should be required to directly employ them as full-time workers.

   The JCP insists that temporary workers be guaranteed basic workers’ rights, including the rights to take paid leave and receive social insurance benefits, and that companies and staffing agencies should bear greater legal responsibility in using or dispatching workers.

   The JCP demands that workers be given the right to file a complaint against employers for illegal labor practices and that companies should be prohibited from unfairly treating workers who call for illegal labor practices to be ended.

   Ichida pointed out that 4.5 to 6 million households are estimated to live in “working-poor” conditions, earning less than the livelihood protection standards no matter how hard they work.

   “This has been caused by the business circle’s employment strategies and the adverse revision of labor laws, especially the deregulation of the Worker Dispatch Law,” said Ichida, and stated that the number of temporary workers has tripled to 2.55 million since 1999, when the ban on dispatching workers was lifted.

   Stating that a majority of temporary workers are working on short-term contracts, Ichida said, “Some of them have been dismissed after complaining about their working conditions. Some are inhumanely treated.” He stressed the need to correct temporary workers’ harsh conditions.

   Stressing that the JCP proposal basically shares the view with many labor unions and other opposition parties, Ichida stated, “We would like to talk with other parties, unions, and organizations in order to increase public awareness of this issue.”
- Akahata, December 18, 2007