Japan Press Weekly

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2014 July 30 - August 12 [LABOR]

Zenroren resolves to struggle to bring down Abe gov’t

The National Confederation of Trade Unions (Zenroren) held its 27th Regular Convention in Tokyo from July 27 to 29. Delegates from across the country confirmed their determination to overthrow Prime Minister Abe Shinzo’s Cabinet which is aiming to destroy Japan’s pacifist Constitution and labor legislation.

Zenroren, one of Japan’s national labor centers, is marking the 25th anniversary of its foundation in November this year.

Zenroren President Daikoku Sakuji stressed in his opening speech that member unions should do their utmost to scrap the Cabinet policies characterized by neo-liberalism and the rebirth of Japanese militarism. Mentioning that the government designates the deregulation of labor laws as a pillar of its “new growth strategy”, Daikoku called on representatives to rise up to protect workers’ rights and jobs.

Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo delivered a solidarity speech on the first day of the Convention. Shii noted that Zenroren has played a key role in uniting various civic movements since its establishment in 1989. He also appealed to participants to support various single-issue movements such as zero-nuke campaigns and develop them into a great joint struggle to bring down the Abe administration.

On the final day, the Convention adopted an action program for the next two years and a mid-term plan to increase its membership to 1.5 million within four years. It also elected the new leadership, including Zenroren President Odagawa Yoshikazu and Secretary General Inoue Hisashi.

Past related articles:
> Zenroren holds rally to eradicate public sector working poor [April 15, 2014]
> Zenroren declares opening of 2014 spring wage offensive [January 18, 2014]