THE LIST OF TWENTY-TWO DEMANDS
by Ōmi Kenshi Mills Workers, May 1954
Site Ed note: Workers at the Ōmi Kenshi Mills in Japan, primarily young women, went on strike from June 3 to September 16, 1954. A company union already existed but was under the control of the president and management. To better represent the workers, a separate union was founded in May 1954 as an affiliate of the Japanese Federation of Textile Workers' Unions. The Federation, in turn, was backed by the recently organized All Japan Labor Union Congress, predecessor to the Japanese Confederation of Labor (known as Dōmei). When the company refused to recognize the new union, the members went on strike and issued their twenty-two demands. Financial help was provided by the parent labor federation. For the outcome of what came to be called the Ōmi "Human Rights Dispute," see site essay by Takita Minoru.
1. Immediate recognition of the Union of the Ōmi Kenshi Mills.
2. Immediate dissolution of the yellow union loyal to the management.
3. Retraction of all regulations concerning the nomination of workers' representatives by the management.
4. A guarantee limiting working hours to eight hours per day.
5. Immediate re-introduction of devices for measuring working hours, payment of overtime pay, creation of a wage system.
6. Determination of acceptable severance pay, travel-cost reimbursement and extra pay for night shifts.
7. Guarantee of paid holidays and one additional monthly holiday for women (menstruation day).
8. Enlargement of the canteens, installation of locker-rooms, improvement and enlargement of living accommodation, improvement of social facilities.
9. Installation of night watch rooms, immediate employment of watchmen, cleaning and kitchen personnel for all living accommodation.
10. Complete abolition of the obligation to convert to Buddhism.
11. Permission to attend evening classes and recognition of the right to additional education.
12. Recognition of the right to marry. No forced separation of spouses.
13. Full recognition of the freedom to enjoy cultural activities such as hiking, music, picture shows, etc.
14. Abolition of all sorts of `contests' enforcing higher work efficiency.
15. Immediate discontinuation of all measures violating human rights, such as the opening of personal letters or the searching of personal property.
16. Abolition of the obligation to spy on each other, of bonus payments for informers and of the practice of
shadowing employees.
17. Permission to leave the company sites.
18. Abolition of the regular monthly dismissals conducted by the factory manager.
19. Immediate reinforcement in all departments of the necessary minimal personnel levels.
20. Prohibition of behaviour on the part of superiors which offends against human dignity and abolition of the practice of forcing workers to submit written apologies.
21. Abolition of the obligation to live on the factory sites for company drivers and the provision of suitable accommodation outside the sites.
22. Immediate insurance coverage against damages resulting from traffic accidents.
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Reference
Hirosuke Kawanishi (ed.). The Human Face of Industrial Conflict in Post-War Japan. New York, NY: Kegan Paul International, 1999; 179-181.
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