| Create Equal Treatment!
Make Partnerships! Rally for Part-Time/Fixed Term Workers Held (10 March 2003) |
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On February 28, RENGO held the “Rally
for Part-Time/ Fixed-Term Workers” at the Hibiya Kokaido Public Hall
in Tokyo co-sponsored by the Supporters for Part-Time Workers (official
name: Citizens’ Conference of Fair Treatment for Part-Time Workers).
Approximately 1000 participants at the rally promised to work to establish
principles for equal treatment as well as make partnerships. Part-time/fixed-term
workers led the rally and afterwards marched down the Ginza holding yellow
paper balloons and hand-made placards. Marchers appealed to passersby
encouraging them to “Make Partnerships!” “Create Equal
Treatment!” as they handed out flower seeds in small packets.
Continuing, he said that he decided to take this “very seriously” adding that, “when we create new working styles for the 21st century, the very foundation is the establishment of labor conditions and equal treatment for everyone.” President Sasamori decisively stated that “RENGO will lead activities to improve various conditions for part-time and fixed-term workers.” Nine lawmakers attended from the Democratic Party of Japan including President Kan and House of Representatives Members Jojima and Mizushima. President Kan disclosed during his speech that they compiled an outline of the ‘bill securing equal treatment and fair employment conditions for short-hour workers’ which they intend to pass into lawmaker-initiated legislation. Kan said, “I think that handling the problem of equal treatment for part-time/fixed-term workers will be a major key for everyone’s rights as well as for revitalization of the Japanese economy.” Caretaker for the Part-Time Worker Supporters Hiroshi Yamamoto gave a speech representing the group. Addressing the audience he said, “ILO Convention 175 says measures shall be taken to ensure that part-time workers receive labor conditions equivalent to those of comparable full-time workers. I believe there must be a fair rule for part-time workers and any country that has implemented it is a true modern democratic nation. Let everyone join hands and raise voices throughout Japan saying ‘this is not right.’” After RENGO Assistant General Secretary Seiko Hayashi reported on various situations, Maruetsu Supermarket Labor Union member Chiyoe Matsuo, who is currently employed as a part-time/fixed-term worker, gave a speech. Also All Peacock Labor Union Central Executive Committee member Mineko Iida, and JICHIRO (All-Japan Prefectural and Municipal Workers’ Union) Preparatory Committee for the National Council of Casual and Part-time Workers Secretary Noriko Nakatani each gave speeches. They revealed the realities of the situation including huge gaps in treatment even if a worker is made a store manager as well as unstable employment and discriminatory practices against casual/part-time workers in public services. They appealed to attendees saying, “Full-time workers are not the only ones who protect the workplace, part-time workers also play a role bigger than theirs. Let’s hold our heads high and make our own situations known.” “Although individually we may not be strong enough, together we can create real power if we only support each other. Let’s keep fighting for our own issues!” Finally, after adopting the following appeal “Create Equal Treatment! Make Partnerships!” the rally ended. Meanwhile the short skit “Unbalance” was performed as a part of the opening ceremony, and acted by eight part-time worker members. They humorously portrayed the situations surrounding part-time workers and showed spectators the necessity of equal treatment, winning big applause from the audience. |
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