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Philip Jennings has warned hundreds of Japanese trade unionists that Abenomics is an arrow directed at the heart of workers.

The UNI Chief addressed the Confederation of Japanese Auto Workers (JAW) Convention in Tokyo. Japanese unions are rising up against Abenomics – the economic policies of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe – saying it will further accelerate income inequality in the country.

JAW is 800,000 strong and present in 11 Japanese automobile manufacturers. It affiliates to UNI Global Union for distribution and sales. The confederation is calling for a pay rise for Japanese workers.

Philip Jennings acknowledged the significance of Katayama Shizuko becoming the first woman chair of the JAW convention. Shizuko pledged to grow women’s union voice in Japan.

Philip Jennings full speech to JAW 43rd Convention - Tokyo – 4 September 2014

Thank you JAW for your solidarity and engagement of your members from sales, customer services, distribution. Key workers for a successful business.

Thank you Bro. Aihara, the chair of UNI LCJ. He is active. Innovative. Insisting on union growth.

He understands workers in a global economy with global business supply chains need strong global unions.

You are in the midst of a massive “economic experiment”. The Abenomics three arrows.

Please beware its consequences. The arrows are directed at the heart of workers

Abenomics will mean more income and wealth inequality.

Abenomics is the ticket to “Kakusa Shakai”

The OECD sent warnings to Japan on dangers of inequality of not growing together, but growing apart.

Soon, Thomas Piketty’s book on wealth inequality will be published. It has provoked a storm in the world and will do so in Japan.

His warning to Japan inequality, the rich and poor divide will grow.

To UNI Global Union inequality is a drag on our economies. Trickle down has failed. Workers of the world need a wage rise.

Unions have solutions.

We welcomed the JAW push for improved wages this year.

Brother Aihara took to the media airwaves.

“Aiharanomics” is a better solution for Japan than “Abenomics”

Decent work for all
A fair wage share
Quality jobs with a better deal for irregular workers
A voice for people through unions
Responsible business

At UNI Global Union we call it ‘Including You!” for inclusive growth, the theme of our Cape Town World Congress.

Japan celebrates 50 year of membership of the OECD this year. What better way to mark this event by Japanese companies adhering to the OECD Responsible Business Conduct Guidelines and to give practical affect to them by signing global agreements with global unions.

UNI Global Union and IndustriALL working together with brands in Bangladesh have pushed up standards in the garment supply chain. We have shown we can change supply chain exploitation and end race to the bottom.

2015 marks the 70th anniversary of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki nuclear bomb tragedies.

I am proud to be a Nagasaki Bugyo. My message is for a world free of nuclear weapons.

In closing I leave you with the words of Uesugi Youzan:

“If you try you may succeed.

If you don’t try, you will not succeed. This is true for all things.

Not succeeding is the result of not trying.”

UNI Global Union. IndustriALL. JAW. UNI-LCJ we will not stop trying and fighting for social justice, inclusive societies and responsible business.