The 2nd Government-Labor-Management Study Meeting was held in a Tokyo hotel on March 29. Continuing their deliberations from the end of last year, Health, Labor, and Welfare Minister Sakaguchi, NIKKEIREN (Japan Federation of Employers' Associations) Chairman Okuda, and RENGO President Sasamori reached an agreement over the basic ideas concerning Work Sharing. They agreed to divide Work Sharing into two types, (1) a Variable Employment type that expands the possibilities of various working styles and (2) A an Emergency Response type that will respond to the current severe job conditions. The committee decided upon five basic principles regarding its promotion (see below). Further, regarding RENGO's demand for the government's financial support of the Emergency Response type, Sakaguchi expressed his intention to put together some support measures in the current Diet session. In a statement released the same day, RENGO revealed its determination saying, "with this agreement as a starting point, we will continue to meet for discussion and work to come up with solutions for the remaining agenda items as quickly as possible."

 

Photo:Leaders from government, labor, and management exchange firm handshakes at a press conference. (March 29, Tokyo)

STATEMENT ON THE GOVERNMENT-LABOR-MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT OVER WORK SHARING

Under these critical employment conditions, it was very important that each element of government, labor, and management overcame various differences in opinions to arrive at an agreement for implementation of Work Sharing that leads to job creation and maintenance. Based on this accord government, labor, and management will each have to fulfill their own roles and duties. With this agreement as a starting point, we will continue to meet for discussion and work to come up with solutions for the remaining agenda items as quickly as possible.
Discussion is just starting on Work Sharing that will aim to revise work and lifestyle patterns into those that reflect a shared point of view among government, labor, and management. RENGO is actively seeking the establishment of equal treatment, which is an issue that is still not clearly defined. In forthcoming studies, we want to see the fulfillment of conditions that truly expand choices for workers.
We were able to reach a general point of accord regarding Emergency Response Work Sharing that will respond flexibly when personnel cuts are unavoidable. This was based on the premise that maintaining employment through shortened working hours was one form of choice for personnel cuts, and that it would not be accompanied by any depreciation of hourly wages. Views at the March 29 study meeting regarding concrete policies of government's financial support indicated that a conclusion should be swiftly reached. RENGO will therefore continue to strive for the realization of this.
Further, it should be thoroughly made known that cases regarding wage cuts without shortened working hours and vague promises of maintaining jobs ought to be handled separately from Work Sharing.
Emergency Response Work Sharing is only one of the current employment policies. In the present job situation crisis, the government needs to immediately implement comprehensive and urgent employment measures beginning with job creation policies, and at the same time make policy changes that prioritize economic recovery and job/lifestyles. RENGO will continue to seek implementation of these at all venues including the Employment Promotion Council of government, labor, and management.
With this agreement, it is desirable to advance action for agreements on job maintenance and creation at the local and industrial levels and within these currents, it is also desirable that the highest levels of government, labor, management push onwards toward even better agreements. RENGO also wishes to continue to push ahead and work for the implementation of these things.

FIVE BASIC PRINCIPLES REGARDING ACTIONS (Summary) 1. Work Sharing will be used to reduce working hours only with the aim of maintaining and creating jobs. 2. Use of Work Sharing should be based on the individual judgement and agreement of labor and management. 3. Promotion of Variable Employment Work Sharing is an important opportunity leading to a review of work and lifestyle patterns. 4. When promoting Variable Employment Work Sharing, labor and management will each strive to create an infrastructure wherein various working patterns can exist. 5. When promoting Emergency Response Work Sharing, management will endeavor to maintain jobs and labor will strive to adopt a flexible approach toward the reduction of working hours.