Disobedience is the way for Rengo members – Rengo accepts “Zero overtime pay” bill

 

Rengo, the Japanese Trade Union Confederation, about-faced over the no overtime pay bill proposed by the Japanese Government, accepting it. When I called Rengo executives and members on July 11 and 12, many of them said, “It is impossible to pass the bill as it is” and “It is necessary to secure essential methods of protecting working people”, emphasizing their stance is strategic as a major organization. Is it the reason to accept the system Rengo had refused for more than two years? Why now? Especially after the devastating defeat of the Liberal Democratic Party in the recent Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly election, the possibility that the party would give up the bill has become greater. Who said that “A little leak will sink a great ship” applies to overtime control that is essential to protect workers’ lives? Rengo-affiliated unions have believed what Rengo headquarters said and been active against the bill. Rengo headquarters, shame on you.

(TOKAIRIN Satoshi, labor journalist)

 * Photo: Asahi Shimbun on July 12, 2017

連合の仲間は不服従で闘うべきだ～「残業代ゼロ法案」連合が容認

政府の提案する残業代ゼロ制度を巡り、連合は反対から制度容認に〝転向〟した。昨

晩（7/11）から今朝にかけて、連合幹部や関係者に電話して背景を探った。多くが、

「法案を裸のまま通す訳にはいかない」「労働者を守る実を取らなければならない」

と大組織としての〝大人〟の判断であることを強調していた。そんなの２年以上反対

してきた制度を容認する理由にならない。なぜ、今なんだ。昨日も書いたが、都議選

で惨敗し、法案断念へ持ち込める展望が開けた中で、なぜ、認める？ 労働者の命を

守る根本の制度である時間規制に１点でも穴を空けたら、そこから制度は決壊すると

言っていたのはどこの誰だ。連合傘下の組合で、その言葉を信じて、熱心に反対運動

を展開してきた仲間に恥ずかしくないのか。（労働ジャーナリスト・東海林智） 続

き・東京新聞・全国ユニオンの声明　＊写真＝7月12日付「朝日新聞」