May 21, 1999

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

1. Today, May 21, the employment security law which is centered on liberalization of private employment agents and the partially amended Dispatched Workers Bill which basically liberalize business, were approved in the Lower House. Eight items were amended in the Dispatched Workers Bill and five were added. For example, if the dispatched worker is employed for more than a year, the government suggests the company hire the worker. If the company does not, it will receive a public warning. The employment agency will be fined. Both bills will be sent to the Upper House next week.
   
   
2. Rengo has demanded these items be made law, so the actual labor conditions of dispatched workers conform to labor security rules set forth in ILO Convention Number 181, and prevent increased numbers of unsecured employees. Rengo has worked with the Democratic, Komei and Reformation Club parties and Social Democrats in the opposition party to bring about their understanding of the importance of these bills and unite them in advocating them. Those parties united and through discussions with the ruling party the Diet has amended the bill. All Lower House parties with the sole exception of the Communists approved the bill.
   
   
3. Rengo was demanding the inclusion of seven items focused on protecting workers. Six items are approved but the one item to prevent the increase of unsecured employees, which would prohibit registration schemes that dispatch temporary employees to work sites, was not approved. Rengo is disappointed and unsatisfied with this.
   
   
4. Rengo praised the three opposition parties for their work in approving this bill. However, Rengo also would like to see the parties include protections against registration schemes for dispatch of temporary employees when the bill reaches the Upper House, in order to prevent the increase of unsecured employee. When business is liberalized for the dispatched workers, the unsecured employment might occur.
   
   
5. Those bills are going to be discussed in the Upper House. Rengo will summarize the process until today and focus on the problems and subjects for these bills. We will keep supporting the three opposition parties during the Upper House's consideration and continue our active support. As a part of our action, we will keep protest the crisis in employment and life by picketing in front of the Diet building.