Japan Press Weekly

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2011 January 19 - 25 [LABOR]

Large corporations disregard social responsibilities: Zenroren

The National Confederation of Trade Unions (Zenroren) on January 19 published a statement by its Secretary General Odagawa Yoshikazu in protest against the Japan Business Federation’s (Nippon Keidanren) policy of countering workers’ demands in the 2011 Spring Struggle.

In the statement, Zenroren criticizes Keidanren for selfishly rejecting workers’ modest request to increase wages, in the name of the need to strengthen companies’ international competitiveness.

Zenroren points out that the basic reason for Keidanren’s arrogant attitude is that large corporations themselves have no recognition that they are socially supported by workers, small- and medium-sized enterprises, and the publicly-funded development of infrastructure.

Zenroren argues that it is difficult to solve the present crisis affecting employment and the economy unless large companies initiate a wage hike, improve non-regular workers’ working conditions, stop hoarding excess capital, and fulfill their social responsibilities.

Zenroren expresses its determination to increase its struggles in communities and at workplaces pointing out, “It is unacceptable if each company responds to workers’ demands in line with Keidanren’s Spring Struggle policy. If the government continues to allow big business to say what they like and implements measures to ease worker protection regulations and promote pro-corporate employment policies, it is inexcusable.”

On the same day, the Japanese Trade Union Confederation (Rengo) released a statement, saying that Keidanren’s policy “shows no sign of fulfilling its responsibility for getting rid of deflation and securing sustainable growth.”