May 11, 2011
Economic tasks in post-disaster reconstruction - II
The Japan Research Institute of Labor Movement (Rodo-soken) calls for major corporations’ financial strength to be utilized for reconstruction from the Great East Japan Disaster. The following is an excerpt of an Akahata interview with Sasaki Shozo, Rodo-soken standing member of the board of directors:
Japan’s automobile manufacturers as well as other key industries have suffered a major blow due to the recent national disaster. Supplies of electronic, resin and rubber parts from the disaster-hit region have stagnated, leading to the suspension of automobile production. This has also had an impact on industrial production in the U.S. and other parts of the world.
The disaster-stricken Tohoku region has played a significant role in the production process of key domestic and international industries. It has contributed to local and national economies as well as the world economy.
Japan’s major corporations, which have long been supported by the Tohoku region, now need to make all-out efforts as part of their social responsibility to help reconstruct the businesses of affiliated firms and subcontractors.
To this end, what they can do is to send engineers, lend production equipment without charge, make investments, and provide financial supports to their related businesses in the devastated region. The parent companies also need to guarantee workers’ job security and ensure adequate living conditions. These measures can easily be carried out just by using part of their internal reserves.
However, large companies are prioritizing their profits even in this time of national crisis. They are dismissing workers and terminating contracts with subcontractors under the pretext of economic losses caused by the earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear accident. At a time when disaster victims are facing great hardships, they are sacrificing workers for the sake of corporate profits. Such an irresponsible attitude cannot be tolerated.
Together with the national and local governments, now is the time for major companies to utilize their economic strength to help revitalize the disaster-hit Tohoku region.
The Japan Research Institute of Labor Movement (Rodo-soken) calls for major corporations’ financial strength to be utilized for reconstruction from the Great East Japan Disaster. The following is an excerpt of an Akahata interview with Sasaki Shozo, Rodo-soken standing member of the board of directors:
Japan’s automobile manufacturers as well as other key industries have suffered a major blow due to the recent national disaster. Supplies of electronic, resin and rubber parts from the disaster-hit region have stagnated, leading to the suspension of automobile production. This has also had an impact on industrial production in the U.S. and other parts of the world.
The disaster-stricken Tohoku region has played a significant role in the production process of key domestic and international industries. It has contributed to local and national economies as well as the world economy.
Japan’s major corporations, which have long been supported by the Tohoku region, now need to make all-out efforts as part of their social responsibility to help reconstruct the businesses of affiliated firms and subcontractors.
To this end, what they can do is to send engineers, lend production equipment without charge, make investments, and provide financial supports to their related businesses in the devastated region. The parent companies also need to guarantee workers’ job security and ensure adequate living conditions. These measures can easily be carried out just by using part of their internal reserves.
However, large companies are prioritizing their profits even in this time of national crisis. They are dismissing workers and terminating contracts with subcontractors under the pretext of economic losses caused by the earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear accident. At a time when disaster victims are facing great hardships, they are sacrificing workers for the sake of corporate profits. Such an irresponsible attitude cannot be tolerated.
Together with the national and local governments, now is the time for major companies to utilize their economic strength to help revitalize the disaster-hit Tohoku region.
