’Pay the living wage!’～1,500 gather for Aequitas demonstration in Shinjuku

 

 Union members and citizens alike demonstrated for a national minimum wage of 1,500 yen on April 15, led by a youth group Aequitas (justice in Latin). This time, Aequitas called for greater participation from various labor unions, and their flags were allowed to go up. Labor unions including Rengo (Japanese Trade Union Confederation), Zenrokyo (National Trade Union Council), Zenroren (National Confederation of Trade Unions), and Federation of Independent Unions of Japan got together at the Shinjuku Central Park in Tokyo overcoming sectors and swelled up to a record 1,500 protesters.

 “The labor union flags are so colorful and beautiful,” said an activist AMAMIYA Karin with a ray of hope. “I’ve never seen so many flags at a demonstration. I hope the Aequitas movement will promote the labor movement to unite into one and gain a momentum.” A woman in her 20s who came independently said, “This is my first time participating in a demonstration, about which I learned through Twitter.  People around me are having difficulties as part-timers. I hope the standard of living will be raised higher.” When asked if it is strange to see so many labor union flags, she replied, “I felt relieved to see so many like-minded people here.” As people expect labor unions to struggle for workers’ rights, the flags hoisted together in large numbers and of various colors looked strong and powerful. 

Youtube 7 minutes

「生活できる賃金よこせ！」～エキタスの新宿デモに労組・市民が1500人

「エキタス」はラテン語で社会正義・公平の意味。若者が中心になって「最低賃金

1500円」を訴えるこのデモも6回目。今回は広く労組に参加を呼びかけ、組合旗もOK

になった。4月15日、東京・新宿中央公園には連合・全労協・全労連・中立系の労働

者が潮流をこえて集まり、これまで最高の1500人に膨れあがった。雨宮処凛さんは

「組合旗も色とりどりで綺麗ですね。こんなに沢山は初めて。エキタスをきっかけに

労働運動が一つになって盛り上がるといい」と期待感をにじませた。一人で来ていた

20歳台の女性は、「ツイッターで知って初めて参加した。私の回りでもアルバイト暮

らしで大変苦労している。生活の水準がもっと上がってほしい」と語ってくれた。

「組合旗が多いことに違和感はないですか？」の質問に対しては、「これだけ同じ思

いの人がたくさんいてホッとしました」との答え。たたかう組合への期待があるのだ

ろう。赤・青・緑・白・黄・橙、林立するカラフルな組合旗がたくましくみえた。

（M）

・動画（7分）