September 5, 2013

The so-called “maternity harassment” has long been a major issue for female workers in Japan. A female employee in Aichi Prefecture, backed by a union’s support, made her employer apologize for trying to dismiss her because of her pregnancy.

Maruo Cibele Akemi, 32, has been working as a six-month contract employee at a call center of NTT West in Nagoya City since October 2010. She immigrated to Japan from Brazil 18 years ago. Taking advantage of her Portuguese language skills, she gives advice to non-Japanese customers every day.

In May 2012, when Maruo entered her seventh month of pregnancy, her boss called her out and said, “When are you going to quit your job? Do you intend to keep working until your due date?”

“Just a moment,” said Maruo in surprise, taking out a sheet of paper from her purse and showed it to him. It was a leaflet she had received before from a union member in front of the company’s gate. The leaflet said, “Even if you are a temporary or fixed-term employee, of course YOU CAN TAKE maternity and childcare leave.” However, the boss said, “This firm is different from others. There is no such leave system here.”

The worker called the number written on the flyer. Omura Mieko, an official of the Tele-Communication Workers’ Union, replied on the phone, “What your boss told you is wrong. Let’s fight against the management together.” Shortly after that, the expectant mother met Omura in person and joined the union.

Then Maruo submitted to the management a notice of her joining the union and an application form for maternity and child-rearing leave. Just before closing time on that day, her boss called her and said, “I’m sorry, I was wrong. You can take both leaves.” He went on to say, “How long a childcare leave do you need?”

“All I did was to become a union member. I was really surprised at how strong and dependable the union is,” Maruo said.

Union official Omura stated that the corporation should stop firing and discriminating against its contingent workers, as well as pay decent wages to all the employees.