Under the slogan of “Changing RENGO To Change Society,” we have taken on the challenge of developing a new form of movement like a united front for part-time workers, and incorporated new campaign methods such as the use of the Internet. While reforming our own organization, we have sought to bring out the full potential of the trade union movement. We have struggled vigorously to reduce social disparities, and as a fruit of this movement, have raised public opinion, and succeeded in making disparities into a priority political issue.

As for our organizing activities, we have managed to organize as many as 170,000 part-time workers, and we have achieved results that give us a sense of accomplishment. However, the number of non-regular workers continues to rise, leading to a number of policy issues. In the midst of this situation, the unionization rate has fallen to 18.2%, putting a question mark before the very raison d’etre of trade unions.

In the recent Upper House elections, which were held under this situation, the Democratic Party of Japan, adopting the slogan “Putting People’s Lives First” won a landslide victory, and became the biggest party in the Upper House. In order to bring about a politics that works for the improvement of working people, we adopted the goal of endeavoring to create a “political system with two large parties,” and to this end, will work in the upcoming Lower House election to bring about a change of government.

In drawing up our Action Policies, we focused on the reality confronting the trade union movement, looked back sincerely on our activities up to now, and incorporated into the Policies our determination to work for the revitalization of the trade union movement. Now, through these two days of frank discussions, we have confirmed the Action Policies as the expression of the will of all our members. Now we will begin concrete activities based on them.

We declare as follows;

- To promote solidarity among all working people, RENGO must stand in the lead and become a presence that all can trust.

- To correct the course of society away from the path of “deterioration,” we must struggle with all our might against irrationality and unfairness.

- We must reform working patterns to promote a work-life balance, improve labor’s share, and establish fair work rules such as equal treatment, with the aim to build a “work-centered welfare society.”

Let’s move forward with courage, based on solidarity among the affiliates, Local RENGOs, and all working people.

10th JTUC-RENGO Biennial Convention
October 12, 2007