Create Equal Workplaces through Positive Action 2003 RENGO Central Women Rally Held (17 oct 2003)

Photo: President Sasamori calls for active participation by women in RENGO movements. (10th, Tokyo Big Site) In an effort to educate themselves on the issues regarding making gender-equal workplaces and their real conditions, RENGO held its annual ËRENGO Central Women RallyÓ at the Tokyo Big Site (Ariake, Tokyo) on October 10th where one thousand participants from across the nation attended panel discussions and two lectures. During the panel discussions, participants pledged to continuously work on movements at workplaces nationwide that were based on specific activities reports from labor unions and businesses on the theme of Ëhow to promote making workplaces that are gender-equal and where women can actively participate through Positive Action (*1).Ó Participants listened to the lectures given by Professor Mari Osawa of the Institute of Social Science at the University of Tokyo on ideas about the pension system and tax reform, and President Ryoko Akamatsu of the Japanese Association of International WomenÁs Rights on future issues regarding the Convention to Eliminate All forms of Discrimination against Women. (*1) Positive Action refers to positively providing adequate opportunities to either men or women, within necessary boundaries, to improve differentials between men and women for opportunities to participate in activities in all fields of society. RENGO President Sasamori started by giving a speech representing the organizers. He said that “the final report by the RENGO Evaluatory Committee says unless labor unions become the sorts of places where young people and women can actively participate, there is no future. This is entirely true.” He also stressed that in order to realize equal treatment for typical/atypical workers, “we need to have women’s power from workplaces,” and he appealed for active participation by women in RENGO movements. He expressed strong concern over the accelerated bipolarization in our society as evidenced by an estimated 8000+ people committing suicide because they felt they were unable to make a living. He criticized the Koizumi administration’s line of the strong will get stronger and the weak will be discarded. He added that “securing jobs and livelihoods should have been our labor union’s biggest role.” In working for the realization of society where people can have hope for a bright future, enjoy equal treatment, achieve a balance between work and home, he decisively stated that “labor unions will be the engine leading us,” and that “labor unions should be a source of trust for the working people when they really need it.” Guest speeches were then offered by Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare Councilor Kumiko Kitai who was followed by International Women’s Year Liaison Group Caretaker Masako Hiramatsu. Likewise, attending from overseas was a woman leader from the ICFTU-APRO (International Confederation of Free Trade Unions-Asia Pacific Regional Organization) who declared their solidarity. After Professor Osawa and President Akamatsu’s lectures, a three-person panel discussion was held. Japan Federation of Energy and Chemistry Executive Committee member Mikiko Yasuhara (Tanabe Seiyaku Labor Union) and Shiseido Deputy General Manager Corporate Restructuring Development Kiyoko Yamagiwa each introduced activities for Positive Action at their businesses, reporting such positive worker responses as “a sense of satisfaction in [one’s] work has increased,” and “both women and men display their own talents.” The speakers said that Positive Action works to the advantage of businesses. Seijo University Faculty of Law Professor Akira Okuyama pointed out future issues while providing a commentary on the conditions after the implementation of the revised Equal Employment Opportunity Law. In order to promote Positive Action even more, he stressed the necessity of a “revolution of thought” for business’s top leaders and others. RENGO Assistant General Secretary Seiko Hayashi, who is serving as coordinator this time, said that it is crucial that labor unions accurately respond to Positive Action. She closed the discussion by calling on the audience to build up concrete actions in workplaces across the nation.

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