Zenroren 25th Convention
Let the Constitution guide to eliminate poverty and economic inequalities, change workplaces and local communities, and let peace prevail in this world

The National Confederation of Trade Unions (Zenroren) held its 25th Convention from July 21-23 in Tokyo. The main slogan was "Let the Constitution guide to eliminate poverty and economic inequalities, change workplaces and local communities, and let peace prevail in this world." The Convention was attended by 565 people, including 335 delegates from 66 organizations, 11 special delegates from four organizations. Women delegates accounted for 20.29 percent.

Zenroren President DAIKOKU Sakuji used his opening speech to comment on the House of Councillors election results as follows: "In the proportional representation part, which democratically reflects public opinion, the Democratic Party polled 18,450,000 votes or 30 percent, down 4,800,000 from three years ago. The Liberal Democratic Party received no more than 14,000,000 votes, down 2,500,000. Clearly, the public's interest in two-party politics is waning. What the government is trying to do is to give corporations tax breaks and increase the consumption tax rate. After all, the government is not considering allocating more tax money to help local economies and welfare services. The government has no choice but to resort to spending cuts under the name of 'structural reform policy.' It is a neo-liberal policy of structural reform that the financial circles want.

This is precisely what the Kan Cabinet is about. It will become more incompatible with the public. Zenroren has for 20 years grappled with the rebuilding of the People's Spring Struggle, promoting the struggle for wage increase and shorter working hours and for rules of employment to be established. To this end, we have attached importance to the signature collection campaign and dialogues with the public in tenaciously promoting the struggle in workplaces as well as in local communities. We follow the militant traditions to pursue 'decent work' in all workplaces, federations, and local communities to eliminate poverty and economic inequalities."

The convention approved the Zenroren Action Plan proposed by Zenroren Secretary General ODAGAWA Yoshikazu for the next two years.