Japan electronics makers, unions unite behind work reform

TOKYO — Japan’s electronics industry union and major manufacturers have prepared their first joint statement on work reform, pledging industrywide efforts to combat overwork.

The Japanese Electrical Electronic & Information Union and five companies including Hitachi will release the statement as part of 2017 labor negotiations Saturday. A joint declaration was last released in 2009, when the focus was on maintaining stable employment in the wake of the financial crisis. The electronics industry is a leading force in annual wage talks on a par with the auto industry, and discussion of reforms to working life could inspire similar efforts in other fields.

Earnings at Japan’s electronics makers differ significantly, as do work styles in various segments such as information technology and manufacturing. The goal is for each company to boost efficiency as much as possible considering its individual circumstances.

The two sides are expected to settle on a 1,000 yen ($8.69) increase in monthly base pay this year. Labor initially sought an increase of 3,000 yen, as in 2016. While the hike will be the fourth in as many years, it is slimmer than the 1,500 yen, 3,000 yen and 2,000 yen agreed to in 2016, 2015 and 2014.

Yet those increases amount to a 6,500 yen hike over three years, which an official at an electronics maker called “high.” Electronics makers face a forbidding earnings environment and severe global economic uncertainty, making it difficult to make concessions in line with last year’s, according to management.

Labor unions at the five companies joining the statement demanded raises in line with the rest of the industry, while those at ailing manufacturers Sharpand Toshiba split from the pack. Companies will issue official responses to these demands in unison on Wednesday.

(Nikkei)