Job Discussion Forums

wangtesol · Joined: 24 May 2005 Posts: 280

On Sunday March 5, 2006 National Union of General Workers Tokyo Nambu, Nambu Foreign Workers Caucus, General Union, Fukuoka General Union, Zentoitsu General Union, Kanagawa City Union, Amnesty International (Japan) and many other human rights groups are planning a massive march and demonstration to demand job security for foreigners working in Japan.

If you live in the Kyushu Region, contact Fukuoka General Union for the simultaneous marches in Fukuoka...
[email protected].

For those who live in Kansai or the Osaka, Kobe and Nagoya area, contact General Union for Osaka details...
[email protected]

Last year, we had massive media coverage for the March in March, including start-to-finish filming by a TBS TV crew and stories in the Asahi Shimbun, Yomiuri Shimbun and foreign media. This year we plan to make it much bigger to draw more attention to the job security problem faced by foreigners as well as Japanese workers. If we want job security for all, we are going to have to fight for it. There's no two ways about it.

So make sure you have the day off on March 5 and bring at least two or three foreign or Japanese friends or family with you (all nationalities and ages are very welcome). Also, please take a moment to forward this email to at least five friends living in Japan. It will only take a moment, and by doing so, you can help get the word out far and wide that it's time to make our voices heard. It's time foreign workers are treated with dignity and respect, with the job security that all workers deserve.

Details for time and place are available at
http://nambufwc.org/march-in-march/

"People live up to your expectations. They live down to them too."

Louis Carlet
Deputy General Secretary
NUGW Tokyo Nambu
Communications Officer
Nambu Foreign Workers Caucus

wangtesol · Joined: 24 May 2005 Posts: 280

For more information you can check the Nambu Foreign Workers Caucus website at...

http://nambufwc.org/march-in-march/

The Dog Ate My Keitai · Joined: 24 Aug 2005 Posts: 67 Location: Japan

BUMP!

Also, if anyone is planning on attending this event, please send me a PM. I'm going with my wife and we sure wouldn't mind making a few new friends! Also, if that happens I wouldn't mind going out for a meal and a few drinks afterwards if it's convenient.

Don't wait until YOU'RE the one whose contract is not being renewed before you take a stand! Solidarity and workers' rights are a concern to everyone! Change means better conditions for ALL of us!

Please consider attending..... Don't think that just because you're not going to live in Japan for a long time that this does not affect you... We can only make things better if we stand together.... I'm not involved in the organization of this event so that's not the reason why I'm plugging it -- but I've been looking forward to attending since last year and I want to voice my support for this issue.

Temujin · Joined: 14 Sep 2005 Posts: 90 Location: Osaka

I wish I could attend, but I won't be arriving in Japan until March 23rd. You certainly have my support and I will be joining the Fukuoka General Union as soon as I arrive.

All the best.

yamanote senbei · Joined: 28 Jun 2005 Posts: 435

It's this Sunday, so if you're reading this and are in Fukuoka, Kansai or Tokyo, be there!

JimDunlop2 · Joined: 31 Jan 2003 Posts: 2286 Location: Japan

Yeah, and if you're attending the Tokyo march and are interested in the unofficial Dave's ESL Cafe post-protest Fiesta del Revolucionarios hambrientos y sedientos (that's: the celebration of the hungry and thirsty revolutionaries if you can't speak Spanish) send me a PM.

So far I've received one RSVP from a forum member who wants to meet either during or after the march (or both). I was hoping to go to a local Mexican restaurant for supper with some people after the march. (Mexican isn't neccessarily set in stone -- but I've been jonesin' for some Mexican food recently)...

yamanote senbei · Joined: 28 Jun 2005 Posts: 435

El Torito?

angrysoba · Joined: 20 Jan 2006 Posts: 446 Location: Kansai, Japan

This is not meant to be facetious but what exactly do you expect to achieve with this march?

You talk about increased job security but that seems a little nebulous. Are you talking about changing existing laws? If so is this a protest at the government?

Call me cynical but seeing a big carnival of foreigners walking down the streets of Tokyo doesn't sound like something that's going to politicize the local population.

wangtesol · Joined: 24 May 2005 Posts: 280

Okay, I will call you cynical and about as media savvy as a dirty toothpick.

JimDunlop2 · Joined: 31 Jan 2003 Posts: 2286 Location: Japan

Soba shouldn't be an angry event. It should be happy! Like me! Very Happy

Ok, seriously... I can answer that.

The number one reason for holding such an event (in my opinion) is public awareness. Most people are unaware or blind to how many foreign workers there are in Japan and what the problems they face are.

Here are my TOP TEN THINGS I think can be achieved holding a protest march.

1. Creates public awareness of important social welfare issues

2. Helps make people sympathetic to our cause

3. Puts a human face on unions who may be seen as just another nameless, faceless organization

4. May convince people to join a union

5. May convince people of the need to stand together

6. Encourages workers to know there are others in the same boat

7. People who see/witness/read about/see on TV the march MAY be in a position to effect change (government officials, eikaiwa owners, etc)...

8. Shows UNITY between Japanese and foreigners of all nationalities. There is only 1 march for everyone -- both Japanese and foreign nationals will be there.

9. Lets people know that ignoring foreigners OR their rights is NOT going to make them go away! Think of it as a counter-protest to all those neo-Nazi black vans rolling around Japan with pre-war flags, blaring military march music and spewing right extremist hatred!

10. Everyone can have FUN! Aside from the march there's also going to be music, dancing, and some post-march parties so you can make new friends!

JimDunlop2 · Joined: 31 Jan 2003 Posts: 2286 Location: Japan

Yes! I was thinking El Torito.... Unless someone had a better suggestion... Or unless people would rather just go to the OFFICIAL post-protest party afterwards.... It's 1000 yen admission, DJ, food, drinks.....

Again, please PM me if you're going -- and I'll give you my keitai info so we can hook up AT or AFTER the event!

angrysoba · Joined: 20 Jan 2006 Posts: 446 Location: Kansai, Japan

11. So Wang can get his picture in the paper

Jazz1975 · Joined: 14 Feb 2006 Posts: 301 Location: Zama, Kanagawa

Wow, I kinda wish I was in Japan with all of you so I can attend this thing. Does this event take place every year? It's something I'd like to be part of, that's for sure. I'd like to hear how it goes, both the actual event and the meet ups afterwards, if any Very Happy

.

JimDunlop2 · Joined: 31 Jan 2003 Posts: 2286 Location: Japan

It's an annual event. I didn't go last year but my wife and I have both been looking forward to this for close to a year!

Jazz: I'll try to take some pix and post them up for ppl to see afterwards! Smile

J. · Joined: 03 May 2003 Posts: 327

Great defense of the protest, Jim! If we don't do something ourselves, no one else will.

I read the notice about Tokyo but I'm a little far away. I wonder if anyone knows what and when is happening in Osaka? If anyone has any information about the march there, could you post it? There's really not much time left to email or phone for information now.
Thanks! Smile