December 15, 2009
In order to improve the employment situation and to address the issue of small- and medium-sized enterprises’ hardships, Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo on December 14 met with Prime Minister Hatoyama Yukio to propose tasks that the government should urgently take on before the end of the year.
Shii’s proposals included the following four points: urgent relief measures for the unemployed, including extending the period of unemployment benefit payments; calling on large corporations to fulfill their social responsibility for secure employment; urgent measures to improve support for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs); and steps to prevent major banks from refusing to lend money to SMEs and to prevent big companies from harsh treatment of subcontractors.
When Shii said that whether to extend the term of unemployment benefits or not depends on the government decision, Hatoyama replied, “Although some say that the current economic situation hasn’t yet reached the level set under the law to expand the benefit payments. I will considerate again if that is possible.”
Regarding the issue of calling on corporations to provide job security, Hatoyama said, “I will find some way to prevent large enterprises from dismissing temporary workers and will also press the business circles to achieve this.”
Regarding the issue of big banks’ reluctance to lend money to SMEs and their forcible collection of loans from SMEs, Hatoyama stated, “I will take thorough steps, including making public the names of companies that engage in unfair treatment of SMEs.”
About the issue of the drastic revision of the Worker Dispatch Law, Shii said, “In order to make positive revisions to the law at the upcoming ordinary Diet session, the JCP will submit its draft proposal.” Hatoyama responded, “As we are looking the same direction, we can work together.”
- Akahata, December 15, 2009
When Shii said that whether to extend the term of unemployment benefits or not depends on the government decision, Hatoyama replied, “Although some say that the current economic situation hasn’t yet reached the level set under the law to expand the benefit payments. I will considerate again if that is possible.”
Regarding the issue of calling on corporations to provide job security, Hatoyama said, “I will find some way to prevent large enterprises from dismissing temporary workers and will also press the business circles to achieve this.”
Regarding the issue of big banks’ reluctance to lend money to SMEs and their forcible collection of loans from SMEs, Hatoyama stated, “I will take thorough steps, including making public the names of companies that engage in unfair treatment of SMEs.”
About the issue of the drastic revision of the Worker Dispatch Law, Shii said, “In order to make positive revisions to the law at the upcoming ordinary Diet session, the JCP will submit its draft proposal.” Hatoyama responded, “As we are looking the same direction, we can work together.”
- Akahata, December 15, 2009
