Symposium held to discuss ways to prevent mass dismissals of contingent workers

Japan Press Weekly

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Symposium held to discuss ways to prevent mass dismissals of contingent workers

Democratic lawyers and union activists on February 14 held a symposium in Tokyo to discuss ways to prevent the mass dismissals of contingent workers as a major social issue.

Japanese Communist Party Secretariat Head Ichida Tadayoshi in his speech pointed out that the current job market collapse was caused by the deregulation of labor laws, including the lifting of restrictions on the use of temporary workers.

Referring to the fact that major manufacturers' internal reserves increased by 120 trillion yen over the last five years, Ichida said, 'Major companies have enough financial strength to avoid cutting jobs and nothing can justify their job cuts being done ostensibly to avoid bankruptcy."

Explaining that the government in its answer to JCP Chair Shii's questions in the Diet admitted that a term of the use of temporary workers disguised as independent contractors should be counted as part of the three-year contract period, the limit of the use of temporary workers, 'Companies illegally using temporary workers are obliged by law to hire them directly. We have to further develop the aggressive movement to urge companies to meet this obligation", said Ichida.

In addition, Ichida stressed that it is necessary that the Worker Dispatch Law be restored to status quo ante (1999) and transformed into a Law to Protect Temporary Workers, and that an opposition parties' bill should be available after the discussion. The JCP has been strongly criticizing the law for allowing disposable labor since its enactment.

Citing illegal labor practices at auto manufacturers, lawyer Sumi Ken'ichiro, secretary general of the Japan Lawyers Association for Freedom, emphasized that a way will be found through struggles demanding direct employment by filing companies' illegal labor practices with labor bureaus.

The National Confederation of Trade Unions (Zenroren) Vice President Ikuma Shigemi reported that since last autumn about 50 unions have been established through struggles against massive temporary job cuts and such move have affected the situation positively, including revocation of dismissals at Isuzu Motors. 'It is important to struggle by joining unions. Bargain collectively and win through people's actions", Ikuma said.

- Akahata, February 15, 2009