Organising Activities at Zensen Domei
In order to achieve a stronger trade union movement the Zensen Domei has been making a detailed study for plans to improve the structure. They have a record of continuing increasing membership and as stated earlier, at its inception in 1946 the membership was 93,972, by 1964 reached 465,000 and in September 1969 it topped the half million mark to 530,749.
They are staging an all-out campaign with the object of reaching a member- ship of 600,000 by the end of 1970.
On occasion Zensen Domei has used aircraft in organising activities, dropping leaflets on to factories when they have not had the opportunity of meeting the workpeople directly.
Since 1964 Zensen has demanded industry wide wage increases every year taking into account the rapid growth of the Japanese economy and despite all their difficulties, have achieved considerable success over the past five years. In fact, the success of the textile industry's wage achievements very often forms the basis for determining the wages in other industries.
With regard to wages, Zensen Domei have fought against all forms of incentive payments and the vast majority of people are paid on a time rate. When we raised the question of incentive payment in the various factories we visited we were surprised at the reaction against such a form of payment, not always confined to the trade union representatives but management, on occasion, were against this method of payment.
General Conditions of Employment
The average working week in the Hosiery and Knitwear industry in Japan is 434 hours, six days per week and there is little or no continuous shift working in operation, less than 10%, but this percentage is increasing, working a three shift system, six days per week. This has only been introduced recently since the competition from cheap labour countries.
Due to modernisation of equipment, Zensen has agreed to accept 24 hour working on certain conditions. These conditions are:
If a plant intends to change its system of operation to a shift system, the plant must agree to investigation by Zensen experts and get their approval before the operation is introduced. Thus, without Zensen approval the plant cannot introduce three shift working.
The minimum conditions under 24 hour operation are:
1. The standard working week shall not be more than 40 hours.
2. A night working allowance shall be paid of at least 40% of hourly wages. *(Only male workers are allowed to work shifts. Females are prohibited from working nights by law.)
In addition to weekly or monthly wages, all operatives receive a bonus twice a year which in total is equivalent to four months' pay. This means that twice a year each worker receives a bonus equal to two months' pay.
Leave and Holidays
Public and specified holidays-more than 17 days annually with pay. Annual paid leave-6 days for one year's service and a day will be added for each year service-30 days being the maximum.
Menstruation Leave-1-2 days with pay for each period.
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