’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）

Death to companies with corporate malpractices! ~ 400 people gather for ‘12.4 Raise the minimum wage demo’

On Dec. 4, AEQUITAS (a Latin word for justice or fairness) called for a demonstration in Shinjuku, Tokyo, in demand for a higher minimum wage, which drew more than 400 people. Demonstrators rapped calls, such as “Raise the minimum wage to 1500 yen,” “Death to sweatshops,” “Raise the minimum wage now,” “Spend the tax money for the taxpayers,” and “If you are struggling to survive, raise your voice!” By the roadside, a truck driver on a break took photos of the demonstrators; a couple watched the demonstration go by with a smile; and others simply watched in agape. People seemed to receive the demo favorably. At the demonstration, unionists and labor activists, including nursing care workers, and SHIMIZU Naoko, president of Precariat Union, which fights against the “Ari-san” moving company, spoke, “The 1500-yen minimum wage is not a dream,” and “We are not asking too much when we demand for workers’ rights.” (By YAMADA Shingo)

ブラック企業はさっさと消えろ！～「12.4あげろ最低賃金デモ」に400人
12月4日、新宿でAEQUITAS （エキタス、ラテン語で「正義」や「公正」を意味する言葉）が呼びかけた「12.4あげろ最低賃金デモ」が行われ、400人が参加した。最低賃金を1500円以上に引き上げろ！ ブラック企業はさっさと消えろ！ 最低賃金今すぐ上げろ！ 払った税金俺らに使え！ 生活苦しいやつ声上げろ！ などのラップ調のコールが叫ばれ、沿道からは休憩中のトラック運転手がデモ隊の写真を撮ったり、ニコニコしながらデモ隊を見送るカップル、こんなデモあるの？みたいな口あんぐりの方などを見ながらデモ隊を見送る人などが、デモの様相が好意的に受け止められている印象を受けた。デモでは、介護労働者、アリさんマークの引越社と闘うプレカリアートユニオン清水執行委員長らがスピーチを行い、「最低賃金1500円は夢物語ではない」「働く権利を守れというのは贅沢でない」と訴えがあった。（山田真吾）