TOP

1. The ILO Governing Body at its 287th Session on June 20 approved the interim report of the Committee on Freedom of Association containing the recommendations on Cases No. 2183 and No. 2177 which ZENROREN and RENGO complained against the Government of Japan. In the recommendations, the Committee strongly requests the Government to reconsider its stated intention to maintain the current restrictions on the fundamental rights of public employees. ZENROREN highly appreciates the recommendations since its reasonable assertion is totally validated in the international arena, following the previous ones in November 2002.

2. The Committee urges that the Japanese government should achieve a consensus on the current Civil Service Reform as well as its related legislative amendments, including restoration of the right to strike for public employees in conformity with the freedom of association principles, through its full consultation with the trade unions concerned. Adhering to the previous recommendations in last November, which ZENROREN welcomed as historic and epoch-making, the Committee in the recent recommendations again thoroughly criticizes the Civil Service Reform being propelled by the Japanese government. The Government should respond sincerely to the recommendations so that it engage in working for a public service system based on international labor standards and in particular the establishment of the fundamental labour rights.

3. The Japanese government however has not abandoned yet the introduction of Civil Service Reform bills to the extended session of the Diet by saying openly that the previous recommendations were unacceptable. Even though the Government tried to get gunderstandingh of the Committee by submitting its additional information, it was displayed again after all that the arguments of the Government cannot possibly be accepted in light of the international common sense. What should be corrected is the shameful attitude of the Japanese government defiant to the international opinion. As a first step for it, the government must withdraw the General Principles for Civil Service Reform so as to make a fresh start of its work for the reform.

4. As the Committee report points out, it is essential for the establishment of a democratic civil service that full, frank and meaningful consultations take place between the Government and the trade unions. ZENROREN therefore reiterates its request for the Government to set the consultation table with the Minister in charge towards a civil service reform in line with the ILO recommendations. With its serious understanding of the significance of the ILO recommendations made twice so far, ZENROREN will make utmost efforts with fresh determination to realize a civil service to meet the wishes of the common people such as the eradication of the corrupt connection among the bureaucracy, the ruling political leaders and business circles, prohibition of gAmakudari ? appointing former bureaucrats to executive positions in government-affiliated organizations,h etc., as well as the establishing of international labour standards including the restoration of fundamental labour rights.