Japan Electronics Unions to Demand Pay Scale Hike of Over 18,000 Yen

Tokyo, Jan. 28 (Jiji Press)–Labor unions at Japanese electronics makers will demand a pay scale hike of at least 18,000 yen a month, a record high, in this year’s “shunto” spring wage talks, their umbrella organization said Tuesday. Last year, member unions of the Japanese Electrical Electronic and Information Union demanded an increase of at least 17,000 yen. “We’ll work to achieve a higher pay increase than last year’s level to ensure a virtuous economic cycle,” Masashi Jinbo, head of the umbrella group, said at a meeting of its central committee. The labor unions will also request annual bonuses equivalent to at least four months’ pay. They will also seek to set up a rule to have companies avoid contacting employees in their off-hours, to secure enough break time. Japanese electronics industry unions customarily put forward a uniform demand in shunto talks. Each union will submit its demand by Feb. 19 and companies will respond to the demands in mid-March. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]