June 16, 2019

Akahata “current” column

At the opening session of the 108th International Labor Conference, Director-General of the centenarian International Labor Organization Guy Rider in his address said that this conference will shine a light on the “most profound and transformative” changes seen in 100 years.

The Director-General also said that efforts to achieve the constant advancement of decent work, social justice and peace will “make it the future of work we want”. This indicates a special enthusiasm of the ILO as an organization whose Charter in its preamble states, “Whereas universal and lasting peace can be established only if it is based upon social justice.”

The ILO at its centenary conference seeks to adopt the first-ever international treaty banning workplace violence and harassment. Considering that everyone has the right to work without suffering from bullying and harassment in the workplace, the ILO argues that the creation of a new international standard will be the first step to eliminating human rights violations.

“Many modern rights are rooted in the ILO’s constant commitment to the dignity of all human beings wherever they work and whatever their occupation,” Italian President Sergio Mattarella remarked at the International Labor Conference.

Japan lags far behind the international standards in labor rights and working conditions. The ILO’s very first convention limiting hours of work (eight hours a day, 48 hours a week) has yet to be ratified. In addition, newly-enacted Japanese regulations against workplace harassment failed to incorporate provisions stipulating legal prohibition and the establishment of an independent structure providing relief for victims.

The Japanese Communist Party seeks to create a society where everyone can live a decent life with an eight-hour work day free from harassment at work, including sexual harassment.

ast related articles:
> Japan reluctant to ratify ILO conventions [April 11, 2019]
> LDP, the biggest obstacle to gender equality in Japan [February 27, 2019]
> Abe turns his back on measures to eliminate workplace harassment [January 30, 2019]