Japan Press Weekly

Tweet

2016 June 1 - 7 [LABOR]

Non-regular workers exchange experiences in minimum wage hike movements

Non-regular workers on June 4 and 5 gathered in Sapporo City from across the country to exchange their experiences and opinions in activities concerning various issues, such as a minimum wage hike and equal treatment. This event was organized by the National Confederation of Trade Unions (Zenroren).

Regarding a minimum wage hike, University of Shizuoka Associate Professor Nakazawa Shuichi presented his calculations which show that a 25-year-old worker living in Sapporo City needs to earn 1,500 yen an hour as a living wage which is known internationally as the minimum income necessary for a worker to cover his/her basic needs.

A male member of the All Japan Construction, Transport and General Workers’ Union (Kenkoro) spoke about his experience in a movement for a minimum wage increase in Sapporo. He said, “After learning about what the living wage is, I became confident in calling for public support to an increase in the minimum hourly wage to 1,500 yen.”

Zenroren works to achieve a minimum wage increase to 1,500 yen an hour and the introduction of a nationwide, across-the-board minimum wage system.

In a session discussing a movement for equal treatment, a member of the Postal Industry Workers’ Union (PIWF) said, “Regardless of being full-time or part-time, postal workers are extremely busy during the end of year period, but there is no additional allowance paid to part-timers.” Demanding equal treatment, PIWF is staging a court battle.

A female member of the All Japan Metal, Manufacturing, Information and Telecommunication Workers’ Union (JMITU) Maruko Keihoki branch reported that after the victory of her local’s seven-year-long court struggle, the wage gap between regular/non-regular workers has narrowed to 10%.

At a plenary session on the first day, young part-time workers talked about their experiences regarding unionization and the improvement of working conditions through labor negotiations.

After the plenary session, participants paraded through downtown Sapporo, shouting in rhythm to the music, “Increase the minimum wage now!” “Let’s join with unions to win a minimum wage hike!”

Past related articles:
> Eliminate poverty by raising minimum wages: union workers [March 10, 2016]
> Gap in regional minimum wages weakens local economies: JCP Shimazu [February 10, 2016]