JCP-led movement pushes local government to act to secure jobs

Japan Press Weekly

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JCP-led movement pushes local government to act to secure jobs

In Fukushima Prefecture, with the third largest number of temporary workers laid off before the end of their contracts among all 47 prefectures, the JCP has pushed the prefectural government to take necessary measures to protect jobs.

On January 5, Fukushima Governor Sato Yuhei announced it will hire about 200 people on a temporary basis until March and make unoccupied public apartments available to them.

On January 7, the governor visited the prefecture's Employers' Council and requested local companies to offer jobs. Several municipalities in the prefecture have issued similar measures following the prefecture's example.

Those local governments have been pushed by growing public movements that include the JCP.

Last October, the JCP Fukushima Prefectural Committee called on party branches and members to collect information through their family members and friends about what's going on regarding dismissals of local temporary workers. The party discovered by mid-November that about 700 temporary workers have been laid off by automobile and IT-related companies in the prefecture.

Based on the findings of its research, JCP Fukushima Prefectural Committee Chair Mogami Seiji and prefectural assembly members on November 25 requested prefectural authorities to launch an emergency task force to initiate measures to arrange jobs for laid off workers. In response to the representations, Vice Governor Uchihori Masao agreed that emergency measures are needed.

The prefectural committee also set up its own task force and made similar representations to the Fukushima Labor Bureau. An official of the bureau said to the JCP representatives, "Maintenance of stable employment is important for stimulating the economy. The JCP's viewpoint is the same as ours."

Youth activities

Young JCP members, together with members of the prefectural committee of the Democratic Youth League of Japan (DYLJ) and the Fukushima Prefectural Federation of Trade Unions, conducted a signature drive urging the prefectural government to take employment measures and urge the national government to take similar measures. Their representatives submitted about 700 signatures to and made representations to the prefectural assembly chair. Their action was reported by all local TV stations.

Change in the assembly

In December, the prefectural assembly adopted a unanimous resolution calling on the national government to revise the labor laws and take urgent measures to protect employment.

During the December session of the prefectural assembly, only the JCP raised questions regarding the issue of jobs. But after the assembly went into recess, other parties also made similar representations.

Street campaigns

The JCP local committee in the Soma district distributed flyers twice in front of Hino Motors' subcontract factory after temporary workers consulted with the JCP regarding the fact that they were laid off by the factory before their contract ended. It also made representations to the Labor Standards Inspection Office to redress the illegal dismissals. It led the office chair's direct instructions to the factory.

With the municipal workers' union and the New Japan Women's Association, the Koriyama-Adachi local committee on December 30 and 31 handed out hot miso (soybean) soup in front of Koriyama Station where many homeless people are found.

The JCP is preparing to hold a rally next month in cooperation with labor unions and democratic organizations calling for jobs and livelihoods to be protected.

- Akahata, January 20, 2009