Japan Press Weekly

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2008 May 14 - 20 [LABOR]

'Nominal' managers call for eradication of illegal labor practice

“Nominal store managers,” who were given administrative positions only to be forced to endure endless working hours without overtime pay, called for eradication of illegal working practices on May 19 in Tokyo.

Their rally was jointly organized by the National Confederation of Trade Unions (Zenroren), the Japanese Trade Union Confederation (Rengo), and the National Trade Union Council (Zenrokyo). Speakers included current and former store managers of McDonald’s Japan, fast-food restaurant chain “Sukiya”, discount shop chain “SHOP 99,” menswear store “Konaka,” and Seven-Eleven Japan.

Former “SHOP 99” store manager Shimizu Fumiyoshi, 28, said, “I was treated like a slave as I was forced to work over 300 hours a month. I had to take a leave of absence after being diagnosed as suffering from depression.”

“Being forced to work 400 hours a month, many of us get health problems and quit. We are used and then thrown away,” said former “Sukiya” manager Fukuoka Junko, 40, who went on to say, “Our only wish is to have a decent job and decent life.”

Takahashi Isamu, a 44-year-old “Konaka” store manager, said, “Even after the company agreed that it would no longer recognize me as administrator, my working conditions did not improve at all, and my wage was unilaterally cut by 60,000 yen.” He expressed determination to urge the company to redress the situation.

Takahashi Hiroshi, a 47-year-old McDonald’s store manager, has won a lawsuit which concluded that his employer should not classify him as an administrator. He said, “Even a small voice can make a change if joined with many others.” - Akahata, May 20, 2008