Another Step for the Organization Expansion Drive
Statement on 1998 Trade Union Survey
(8 January 1999)
On December 22, the Ministry of Labor issued the "1998 Trade Union Survey Results Dispatch." According to the survey, the number of union members declined 192,000 from last year to 12,093,000. The estimated organization rate also declined 0.2 points from the previous year to 22.4%. RENGO union membership also declined from 97,000 to 7,476,000. This year also couldn't break "The declining trend in number and ratio." RENGO received this fact with great concern and on December 22 SG Sasamori made the following comment; "It is difficult to restore the organization rate without a real organizing effort for part-time, dispatched, and small to mid-sized businesses' workers. Again we reaffirm that the Organization Expansion Drive must be put into action by constituent organizations, RENGO Headquarters, and local RENGO together."

Earmark ¥700 billion for Employment Budget
SG's Comment on November Unemployed Rate
(8 January 1999)
According to a report released December 25 by the Management and Coordination Agency, unemployment reached a record high of 4.4% in November with the total number of unemployed at 2.91 million. RENGO SG Sasamori responded to this fact by issuing a statement, "the government should earmark an additional ¥700 billion in employment measure expenditures in the general account of the 1999 Fiscal Year budget draft. Further, it needs to provide guidance so that layoffs at companies are avoided at all costs. The business community needs to realize its social responsibilities and to strive harder to stabilize employment."

Discussion on International Cooperation Workshop
RICC/ILEC Joint Sponsorship
(8 January 1999)
On December 8-9, RENGO International Cooperation Center (RICC) and the Institute of Labor Education and Culture (ILEC) held its "Introductory International Cooperation Workshop, Part II" at a Yokohama hotel. As in 1997, the number of participants was limited to approximately 30 people participating in group discussions. Participants actively discussed a variety of themes such as gender bias in international cooperation and aid for those who cannot help themselves.

Request to MHW on 1999 FY Budgeting
Group Petition For "Safe and Reliable Social Security" Submitted
(8 January 1999)
On December 17, RENGO submitted requests to the Ministry of Health and Welfare on the 1999 Fiscal Year budgeting and policy management and Secretary General Sasamori handed in the "Group Petition for the Establishment of Safe and Reliable Social Security" (from 9,360 groups) to Minister Miyashita. SG Sasamori pointed out in the opening that "the nation has strong sense of crisis toward an unforeseeable future" and requested the Health and Welfare Minister to establish Safe and Reliable Social Security to resolve this insecurity. Minister Miyashita responded, "the Ministry of Health and Welfare also would like to eliminate insecurity in employment and pension and medical care arising from birth death/aging, in order to establish a more secure and reliable system." Afterward, the Minister gave his opinions individually on the next public pension system reform, medical care, nursing care, birth death/aging, nursing care leave system and environment.

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