Japan Press Weekly

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2008 April 23 - 29 [LABOR]

Unionists take part in nationwide action calling for increase in minimum wages

On April 23, trade unions throughout the country petitioned local labor bureaus and took to the streets calling for regional minimum wages to be increased. The main common theme of the day of action was “Eradicate poverty! Government and business circles, listen to the general public!”

The National Confederation of Trade Unions (Zenroren) and the People’s Spring Struggle Joint Committee called for the day’s action in order to signal the start of a campaign demanding a minimum wage increase to at least 1,000 yen per hour.

In Tokyo, union members assembled at ministry buildings and the Diet.

On the street near the Labor Ministry, participants stood holding banners reading: “A minimum wage increase to 1000 yen or more”, “Revise the Worker Dispatch Law to protect workers”. They used microphones to get their message across to passers-by.

A representative of the National Union of General Workers' Union (Zenkoku-Ippan) pointed out, “The minimum wage is the key to decrease poverty and economic inequalities.”

A member of the Tokyo Metropolitan Youth Union called for drastic revision of the Worker Dispatch Law by stating, “Young people are coming into union movements by saying no more poverty and social disparities. The present Worker Dispatch Law doesn’t adequately protect workers.”
- Akahata, April 24, 2008