So-called black companies emerge one after another. These firms violate labor laws: they do not pay for overwork and not fulfill obligations for workers when they suffer from labor disasters, but instead they advise to choose the health insurance service. They sack workers freely. Employers do not feel guilty. The New Socialist Party (NSP) will start a nationwide labor consultation campaign next week to help workers.


LET’S ENCOURAGE PEOPLE IN NEED


Many workers suffer from unfair employment conditions: low wages, no payment for overwork, abrupt sacking from a workplace and shifting to another, power and sexual harassment, and etc. Workers ask: what should I do if I get injured? What should I do to organize a labor union? One told that he/she presented a letter of resignation but that the employer would not accept it unless he/she should cover losses. They are at a loss alone.


In December the New Socialist Party (NSP) holds labor consultation campaigns. Party members will work to help workers. Let’s appeal to workers to think together and to settle troubles.


Leaflets to Every Worker


A Tokyo-based labor union, the Union-Net Otagai-sama, which has recently set up an NPO (=non-profit organization) called the Tokyo Labor Center, hands out leaflets once every month to passers-by in the area near the Akihabara Railway Station. People can know about a labor consultation service by leaflets. It provides a free-of-charge consultation service at any time of the year.


‘Workers do not respond immediately. It takes them some time to visit our office for consultation’, said President Saito Takayasu. Workers react later to the calls. The Union-Net asks public labor offices to keep leaflets, too, so that visitors could know about the NPO’s service for workers who are unfamiliar with an internet access.


The controversial bill to revise the Worker Dispatching Act was rejected by the current Diet session due to parliamentary dissolution. The Abe government holds elections for their advantages. However, nobody can tell when the said bill may be presented again for Diet debates. The revision will allow employers to replace permanent employees with temporary workers. The Abe government gets ready so that employers could enjoy the world’s best operational conditions in Japan.


To establish special employment zones is one of his policies. Premier Abe says boldly: ‘I will crush a hard, rocky ground with my drill’. He is ambitious in revising labor laws. Under these circumstances black corporations emerge.


Encourage Workers!


Employers arrogantly reply: ‘I do not know about the Labor Standard Act’, or ‘If I observe such a law, I cannot be a manager’. Many workers undergo this type of employers. Let’s encourage suffering workers. We must help them to solve problems. This is our consultation service.


Labor consultations are held in various institutions. The number of claims rapidly increases. That means many people work in poor working conditions. Workers do not even know that employers infringe laws. They do not know that consultation service is open to everyone free-of-charge. They do not know to whom to complain.


The year 2014 is coming to an end. The party’s campaign will help workers. Streets are noisy with election campaigns. Party members should work sincerely to help workers, taking advantage of rich experiences in labor affairs. Let’s appeal to workers. Let’s struggle together. Hand out leaflets. Let’s use our home page on the internet.


December 2, 2014