Bury the labor law revision! ~ a statement on ‘zero overtime pay’ act

 

The white-collar overtime exemption, or so-called “zero overtime pay” act, has been in question whether or not the nation’s largest trade union confederation Rengo would approve of it. The law would allow companies to exempt workers with annual income higher than 10.75 million yen or on certain jobs from the eight-hour work day and companies from paying overtime to these workers. If incorporated, the law would allow workers to get paid on performance rather than work hours, the government has said. However, this is completely untrue. Instead, we would wind up putting endless hours into work. It is obvious that illegal overtime and unpaid overtime are rampant at companies that have allowed karoshi deaths of their workers or health deterioration of workers. The National Union of General Workers, Tokyo Tobu, has stood together with the bereaved families of karoshi victims at Skylark restaurants or Watami izakaya bars, and we will not give an inch to “zero overtime pay” act. (Tokyo Tobu Union)

労働法制改悪を葬り去ろう！～「残業代ゼロ法」をめぐる 情勢についての声明

 
 一定の年収や職種を条件に労働者を１日８ 時間労働の規制から外して残業代を支払わなくてもよいとする 「残業代ゼロ法」（高度プロフェッショナル制度）を、日本最大 のナショナルセンター（労働組合の全国組織）である連合が容認 に方針転換するかどうかで揺れている。残業代ゼロ法が導入され れば、時間にとらわれずに成果重視で働けるようになるなどと政 府は宣伝しているが、まったくの虚偽であり、実際には長時間労働 への最低限の歯止めがなくなるだけだ。労働者の過労死や健康被害 をいっそう促進することは、過労死を出した企業では必ずと言っ ていいほど違法残業や残業代不払いが横行していることからも明 らかだ。すかいらーくやワタミなどの過労死遺族とともに闘ってき た私たち東部労組が残業代ゼロ法を認める余地は一切ない。（東 京東部労組）

Don’t sell my overtime work hours! ~ Workers protest against Rengo

 

Workers raised their voices on July 19 in front of Rengo headquarters in protest against the nation’s largest labor confederation’s decision on whether to approve the “zero overtime pay bill.” The action was led by a 33-year-old, non-union man. “’Don’t sell my overtime hours without my approval!’ This is the angry voices of all the workers,” he said. “The Rengo executives should stop misappropriation of the union, annul its decision and return to what a union should be. I came here to show support in bringing Rengo back on its feet.” The protesters grew to 120, most of whom acted on his/her own.

 “This is the first time I came to Rengo office, and I am surprised how elaborate the building is,” another one spoke. “Stop looking up (to the people in control) but start listening to the voices of the workers.” Yet another worker said, “I want Rengo to do the right thing as a labor union.”

 Rengo’s controversial decision was initiated by some leadership without any internal discussion. Names of Rengo’s General Secretary OHMI Naoto and MURAKAMI Yoko, chief of department of working conditions, appeared on a banner in the protest. (By M)

私の残業を勝手に売るな！～連合本部前で「働く個 人」が声上げる

 
7月19日、連合本部前で「残業代ゼロ容認」に抗議 の声が上がった。呼びかけたのは労組メンバーではなく、33歳の 働く個人男性だった。「私の残業を勝手に売るな！というのが、み んなの怒りの声。連合執行部は私物化をやめ、決定を取り消して 本来の労働組合に戻ってほしい。連合はしっかりしてほしい。そ の後押しのつもりで来た」と訴えた。参加者は徐々に増えて120人 になった。みんな個人での参加だ。フリーマイクでは「初めて連合 に来たが建物が立派で驚いた。上ばかりみないで現場の労働者の 声を聞いてほしい」「労働組合としての本分を果たしてほしい」 など切実なアピールが続いた。今回の「残業代ゼロ法案」容認 は、執行部の一部メンバーの主導でクーデター的に行われた。こ の日の横断幕でも執行部の「逢見直人事務局長」と「村上陽子総 合労働局長」が名指しで批判されていた。（M)

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」