With the number of part-time workers greatly on the rise, for the first time since its founding, RENGO laid out its policy on actions for "wage raises for part-time workers" at this Spring Struggle. Based on this, RENGO which has an eye on equal treatment for part-time workers, held the "Gathering to Consider Part-time Work" at the Tokyo Dai-ichi Hotel on February 27. This gathering was attended by 250 people including part-time workers who are the members of RENGO registered unions, officials from affiliated organizations / local RENGO, as well as many average citizens. They not only exchanged opinions on labor conditions but also problems with the social insurance and tax systems.

Photo:Many opinions were voiced from the crowd.

Representing the sponsors, RENGO Vice President Mitsuo Nagumo emphasized that, "a new way of working part-time has increased significantly year by year. Labor condition issues are important yet, we must not be deprived of the chance to work through social insurance and tax systems." Showing his determination for the struggle he said, "we want equal treatment for part-time workers to the fullest extent possible as exists for full-time workers; and not as a 'handy and cheap workforce' but as co-workers."
Then, a panel discussion with representatives from four industrial federations JICHIRO (All-Japan Prefectural and Municipal Workers' Union), ZENSEN (Japanese Federation of Textile, Garment, Chemical, Mercantile, Food and Allied Industries Workers' Unions), SHOGYO-ROREN (Japan Federation of Commercial Workers' Unions), ZENKOKU-IPPAN (National Union of General Workers), working to organize part-time workers, reported on the actual state of part-time workers and actions to organize them and so forth.
The following opinions were actively expressed from the audience, "organize a legal system that handles part-time personnel" and "we want discrimination between regular and part-time employees treated as a human rights issue."
Finally, RENGO Secretary General Sasamori reported on the prehistory and meaning of the actions that RENGO has implemented to deal with these problems during this Spring Struggle. He also said, "we want to change the labor union movement from a demand-based movement to a self-contained movement. This gathering is a first step toward thinking of how we can protect our comrades. I believe it is a giant step toward a great result." Following his remarks the gathering was adjourned.