Japanese Trade Union Confederation (RENGO)

RENGO News

JTUC-RENGO held the 16th Biennial Convention on 10-11 October 2019, “We will change the future –Towards a Secure Society” marking its 30th anniversary of founding

28 October 2019

JTUC-RENGO 16th Biennial Convention

JTUC-RENGO held the 16th JTUC-RENGO Biennial Convention in Tokyo on October 10 and 11, with the slogan of “We will change the future–Towards a Secure Society.” At the convention, the Action Policies for 2020-2021were adapted and new officers were elected.

Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare, Katsunobu Kato, Leader of the Constitutional Democratic Party, Yukio Edano, and Leader of the Democratic Party for the People, Yuichiro Tamaki, gave speeches as guests. International Guests totaled 55 people from 40 organizations, including Deputy President of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), Karl-Petter Thorwaldsson, General Secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation–Asia Pacific (ITUC-AP), Shoya Yoshida, and General Secretary of the Trade Union Advisory Committee (TUAC) to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Pierre Habbard. General Secretary of the International Labour Organisation(ILO), Guy Ryder, contributed a video message.

In his keynote address, President Kozu stated that “Only trade unions are able to produce and distribute wealth, and thereby build a secure society. I would like to say aloud that trade unions are the one to save the world, and we at JTUC-RENGO must lead the way.” He went on to say that as JTUC-RENGO is marking the milestone of its 30th anniversary, “JTUC-RENGO overcame many difficulties and issues when it was established on November 21, 1989. Since the founding, we have moved forward unwaveringly without deviation even in difficult and confusing times, and the significance is huge. I’m sure the environment surrounding us will continue to undergo great changes, which is why we adopted our slogan of ‘We will change the future–Towards a Secure Society’ for this convention.”

The newly confirmed Fiscal 2020–2021 Action Policies includes measures to achieve RENGO Vision for society, such as “pursuit of collective industrial relations in order to protect and connect all working people and advancement of a movement with a broad base in society,” “advancement of a movement that protects and creates a secure society and decent work,” and “realization of workplaces and a society in which ‘True Diversity’ that respects every individual and realizes equality between the sexes is deeply rooted,” in order to achieve “A Secure Society based on Work – Protecting, Connecting and Creating.”

A total of 60 new officers were elected, comprising 13 vice presidents, 5 assistant genera secretaries, 34 Central Executive Committee members, and 4 accounting auditors, as well as President Rikio Kozu (Japan Federation of Basic Industry Workers’ Unions), Executive Deputy President Naoto Ohmi (UA ZENSEN), Deputy President Atsushi Kawamoto (All-Japan Prefectural and Municipal Workers Union), and General Secretary Yasunobu Aihara (JAW).

In his inaugural address, President Kozu declared his resolve, saying “We must move forward with determination. Things staying as they are in Japan will result in collapse. We pledge to act positively and with sincerity in order to usher in a bright future.”

In conjunction with World Day for Decent Work of ITUC (International Trade Union confederation) all convention attendeesparticipated in an action to appeal for the abolition of nuclear weapons with the concept that decent work is only possible if we achieve peace.

The convention closed with unanimous adoption of the convention declaration, which began with the statement, “JTUC-RENGO has reached its 30th anniversary. This momentous milestone marks a new beginning for us to fight for a secure future for our many working members.”

≫　Address by President KOZU

≫　Convention Declaration