Japan Press Weekly

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2024 November 6 - 12 [LABOR]

Unionized medical workers take to streets to demand sufficient bonuses to overcome rising living costs

The Japan Federation of Medical Workers’ Unions (Iroren) on November 7 held a nationwide action which included protest marches and strikes to demand sufficient winter bonuses that would help to overcome the cost-of-living crisis.

In Saitama, union workers staged a one-hour walkout starting at 8:30 a.m. at their workplaces, including Saitama Red Cross Hospital.

At a rally during the walkout at Saitama Red Cross Hospital, Iroren President Sasaki Etsuko delivered a speech in solidarity. She pointed out that care workers, despite their hard work, are paid unfairly low wages, which is one of major factors for chronic staffing shortages. She said, “Let us fight to improve our working conditions and solve the labor shortage!”

In Tokyo, union activists held a street campaign near Shinjuku Station to attract public support for their demands.

Using a microphone, Iroren Vice President Watanabe Yuji said that to ensure better wages and working conditions for medical and nursing-care workers is a political responsibility, and added, “Let us work to put an end to the current government which slashes social welfare spending for the benefit of a huge military buildup!”

A union member who works as a nurse said, “At my workplace, our year-end bonuses are being cut by 160,000 yen. This will lead to more nurses quitting their jobs. The national government should take action so that healthcare workers can work without economic anxieties.”

After the street campaign, they marched in demonstration through the Shinjuku district.

In Kyoto, union workers marched in demonstration through Kyoto City. Following the rhythm of the music from the leading pickup truck, they chanted in chorus slogans, such as “Higher wages for nurses immediately!”