July 30, 1999

Kiyoshi SASAMORI
General Secretary
Japanese Trade Union Confederation (JTUC-RENGO)

On 29 July a government's bill concerning the restoration of industries was adopted at the plenary of the House of Representatives and then sent to the House of Councillors. General Secretary of Rengo made comments on it as follows.

In the present condition where we can hardly foresee the economic recovery, we strongly protest against the adoption of the bill that worsens the sense of insecurity about employment and does not meet the demand of the working people for stable life and employment security.

Rengo has required through political parties fundamental amendments to the bill. Its requests include to clarify "the employment security" as an objective of the bill and to ensure "consultations and agreements" with trade unions as an indispensable condition in the process of designing and implementing plans. In addition, Rengo requests for the establishment of a new bill to protect workers in the process of changing enterprise organisations."

At the Diet discussion the Democratic Party requested as conditions to accept the bill that "consultations with workers" and "labour-management consultation followed by an agreement" should be clearly stated. However, the government consistently answered that these would be "notified" and only promised that an annexed resolution would state "enterprises should have necessary consultation with relevant trade unions in case that employment is affected."

Concerning the workers' protection following the organisational reform of enterprises, the resolution clearly states that the matters on labour relations following the organisational reform will be examined in the view of taking legal measures, which can be evaluated as leaving a foothold for tackling with for future.

Rengo continues to request for including "employment security" as an objective in the bill and legislating "consultations and agreements with the workers" as conditions for the approval of the plan. Rengo reinforces to tackle with it once the House of Councillors examines it. Besides, having the co-operation with other parties, Rengo aims to arrange at an early stage "the bill concerning the worker protection in the process of the change of enterprise organisation and to lay it before the Diet.