Japanese Trade Union Confederation (RENGO)

43rd Central Committee Meeting Held

Rejuvenate / Revitalize the Labor Movement

On October 6, RENGO held its 43rd Central Committee Meeting at the Hotel Langwood in Tokyo endorsing its agenda including the 2005 Fiscal Year plan of activities, RENGO demands on the Gender Equal Employment Opportunity Law revision, and activities to realize these goals.

In his opening address, RENGO President Sasamori said "let us rejuvenate and revitalize the labor movement, make a movement with our own hands that will always unfailingly provide answers, and develop a reliable and dependable labor movement."

At the outset of the meeting with approximately 300 Central Committee members and observers in attendance, President Sasamori gave an opening speech that touched on issues that included the rejuvenation and revitalization of the labor movement, the social security system reform, job problems, the reinforcement and expansion of unionization, a continuing array of scandals, and the abolition of unpaid overtime. Speaking on the issue of radical reform of the social security system, Sasamori said "for drastic reform of the social security system to be realized, the Democratic Party of Japan must enter into discussions with other parties and fulfill their responsibilities to the citizens of Japan." In addition, he criticized the Koizumi administration saying that they should prioritize the social security system and not the privatization of postal office businesses. Expressing his strong determination to steadily realize policies, Sasamori said that RENGO will not attempt to block the submission of the bill for public servant system reform. Instead, RENGO will seek to gather concrete responses while establishing basic labor rights as its core, and carry out the kind of system reform that we want by ourselves. Further, with regard to abolishing unpaid overtime, he said he would do away with the withering relationship between labor and management and fight alongside our fellow workers in the workplaces in order to carry out the primary goal of trade unions.

The agenda endorsed at the meeting included "2005 Fiscal Year Plan of Activities," "RENGO Demands on the Gender Equal Employment Opportunity Law revision and activities for its realization," "FY 2005 budget," elections to fill vacant official posts, awards, the selection of members for the Control Committee, and the allocation of deposited funds. Central Committee members submitted their opinions and requests on such issues as the equal treatment of part-time workers, ways of restructuring local councils, peace movements, the enforcement of activities on abolishing unpaid overtime, creating a consensus within RENGO on the social security system.

Also presented at the meeting was an award for the best essay on the topic of the "1st Invitational Essay Contest: Suggestions for a RENGO Movement."

43rd Central Committee Meeting Agenda Wednesday, September 6, 10:00-17:00 Place: Hotel Langwood 1. Elections to fill vacant official posts 2. Awards 3. Control Committee member selection 4. 2005 Fiscal Year Plan of Activities 5. RENGO Demands on the Gender Equal Employment Opportunity Law revision and activities for its realization 6. Allocation of deposited funds 7. FY 2005 budget 8. Other • Award presentation for the best essay on the topic of the "1st Invitational Essay Contest: Suggestions for a RENGO Movement."