RENGO endorsed establishing the "RENGO Hello Work Foundation" at its 17th Central Executive Committee Meeting on December 7, 2000. While employment anxiety prevails in this society where the unemployment rate has been continuing to run just over 4% since April 1998, RENGO deemed that expectations for labor unions to secure and stabilize employment is mounting. RENGO started its Hello Work Project under these circumstances in November. RENGO will utilize the Foundation to effectively push ahead with the smooth operation and social appeal of the project.

1. The Purpose and Significance of the Establishment

RENGO decided to conduct RENGO Hello Work Project at the 33rd Central Committee held on October 4.
RENGO founded "Work Net" Ltd. based on this endorsement and is now in the process of filing an application for permission as a placement agency and staffing business. RENGO will establish the "Hello Work Foundation" to gain the necessary financial resources for the business's smooth operation and effective development as well as to obtain wider public understanding of the project. RENGO will ask for public donations from various sources including RENGO members and their families, in addition to making a general appeal to society.

2. Goals of the Foundation Activities and Use of its Funds

The Hello Work Foundation is conducting various advertising activities to promote the Hello Work Project to many Japanese citizens about their significance. Foundation will support unexpected job losses by RENGO union members and utilize the fund exclusively to raise the level and efficiency of the Project.

(1) Fund Raising

[1] Funds will be raised through the support of RENGO members and their families from various donation drive activities including "prepaid phone card" and gift / book certificate give-aways.

[2]The Foundation's target amount for the first fiscal year will be ¥50 million.

(2) Uses of the Foundation

The Foundation will be used for those things which the project coordination committee deems necessary. For instance, research and development of a software system to improve the sophistication and efficiency of the RENGO Hello Work Project.

(3) Development of the Project

[1] Fund-raising campaigns will be conducted in the Tokyo metropolitan area, namely Tokyo, Kanagawa, Chiba, and Saitama, starting on January 1, 2001, where RENGO will start its placement agency and staffing services.

[2] The RENGO Hello Work Foundation will be separated from RENGO's accounting. The project coordinating committee secretary will be in charge of necessary business operations. (Outline)

On December 6, SHOKUHIN RENGO (Japan Federation of Foods and Tobacco Workers' Union) and SHOKUHIN ROKYO (Food Industry Workers' Unions Council: FIWUC) were combined to form the League of Japan Foods and Tobacco Workers Union (SHOKUHIN RENMEI) or the LFU. Their status was officially adjusted to reflect this change at the 17th Central Executive Committee Meeting held on December 7.

(1) New affiliate union member name: League of Japan Foods and Tobacco Workers Union: LFU (SHOKUHIN RENMEI).

(2) Old affiliate union member names: Japan Federation of Foods and Tobacco Workers' Union (SHOKUHIN RENGO); the Food Industry Workers' Unions Council: FIWUC (SHOKUHIN ROKYO)

(3) Shigeru Masuda, President

(4) Address : 1-13-18, Hiroo, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

(5) Treatment of RENGO Officials
Mr. Masuda will continue to serve as a member at the Central Executive Committee Meeting until the Seventh National Convention in 2001 when new officials will be elected.

(6) How to include into local RENGO
Affiliates will be listed with local RENGO under both of their names for the time being.