The realization of wage increases, which Prime Minister Kishida emphasized in his policy speech.
This year's spring labor offensive has actually started on the 23rd, while calling on the business community to cooperate in raising wages that exceed the rate of increase in prices.
How far will wage increases go?
Highest level since 1995
For this year's spring labor offensive, the labor union side has issued a series of policies to seek a high wage increase based on rising prices, etc. Based on this policy, unions such as major companies will be on the management side next month. Submit your request.
The central organization of labor unions, "Rengo," has set the highest level since 1995 of around 5% for base pay increases and regular pay raises combined.
Among the major industrial unions that are members of RENGO,
▽"UA Zensen", which consists of labor unions in the textile, distribution, service industries, etc., has earned about 6% of the base increase and regular salary increase since its establishment in 2012. We offer the highest wage increases.
▽ "JAM", which is made up of labor unions of small and medium-sized enterprises such as machinery and metal industries, raises the required level for the first time in eight years and seeks an average wage increase of 13,500 yen or more per month.
▽ The "Electric Machinery Union", which is made up of labor unions such as major electronics manufacturers, is making adjustments by securing a regular salary increase and requesting a monthly wage increase of 7000 yen or more, which greatly exceeds last year's base increase.
▽ Jidosha Soren, which consists of labor unions of automakers and parts companies, does not set a uniform demand amount, but each labor union has a policy of requesting a wage increase toward the wage level that they should aim for in the medium to long term. am.
▽ The "Fundamental Workers' Union", which is made up of labor unions such as steel manufacturers, plans to raise wages by 500 yen as a base increase equivalent to a monthly wage increase of 3,500 yen or more.
Aside from Rengo, the Metal Workers' Union, which includes five industrial unions such as automobile and electronics manufacturers, plans to demand a monthly wage increase of at least 6,000 yen, which is double that of last year, as an amount equivalent to the base increase.
In addition, another labor group, Zenroren, is discussing a policy to demand an increase of 10% or more in wages, including regular wage increases, and a monthly wage increase of 30,000 yen or more.
Soaring raw material prices Concerns managers
With many small and medium-sized enterprises facing soaring raw material prices, some business owners want to raise their employees' wages but are unable to do so easily.
Bundendo, a printing company located in Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, handles printing of tickets for concerts and events, and employs about 20 full-time employees.
Until three years ago, we had raised the base salary for all employees, but sales decreased by 10% to 15% due to the influence of the new corona, making it difficult to respond uniformly. Limited to young people.
This year, sales have recovered due to the return of orders that had decreased due to the influence of the new corona and the progress of passing on prices to business partners, but the steep rise in raw material prices such as paper and ink is a burden on management. has become
Therefore, in order to generate funds for raising wages, we have formed a project team centered on young employees and are promoting the development of new products using printing technology.
However, most of the employees have no experience in product development, and the current situation is that they have not yet created products that can contribute to sales.
President Ikeda wants to raise the wages of all employees this year, but he can't take it easily and is worried.
President Dai Ikeda said, "Prices are rising, so when employees receive their salaries, I want to do something that will make them smile, even if just a little, by telling their families, 'I'm glad you managed to get a raise.' Although it is an order-receiving industry, we are trying to think on our own and make products that will sell, but it is a little bit at a time.The prices of materials and purchases are rising, so I think it will be difficult to raise them all at once. I was talking.
A female employee in her 30s said, "I can't say I'm selfish because the sales situation continues to be tough, but the electricity and gas bills are rising, so honestly, I'd like wages to be raised." was talking
Ingenuity to generate profits
Among small and medium-sized enterprises, there is a movement to generate profits and raise wages through ingenuity even in a harsh environment such as the prolonged corona crisis and soaring raw material prices.
Tsukuba Shokuhin Co., Ltd., located in Koga City, Ibaraki Prefecture, with about 50 employees, manufactures seasonings for commercial use and distributes them to about 130 companies, including restaurants and supermarkets nationwide.
While the demand for eating out has decreased due to the corona sickness and sales have decreased, the prices of oil and salt, which are the raw materials of seasonings, have risen almost every month, and the purchase cost has increased by more than 10%.
However, it is not easy to pass the cost on to the selling price.
Therefore, we are focusing on developing new seasonings that meet the needs of our business partners.
We have repeated meetings with business partners and prototypes at our own factory to commercialize them, and we develop about 130 new products every year.
Labor costs and manufacturing costs, such as allocating nine employees for development, are high, but we can set an appropriate price by making it from scratch while gaining the understanding of our business partners.
In addition, our technical capabilities have improved through the development of many products, and we have received more requests for development of so-called "home-cooked meals" that have become popular during the coronavirus crisis. It means that it is possible to secure
The owner of an Italian restaurant who requested the development of a seasoning to sell the restaurant's pasta as frozen food for home use said, "There are many customers who want high-quality meals at home due to the corona crisis. They will try to meet our needs, so I would like to place an order with a transaction amount that is mutually profitable."
In order to support the lives of employees and secure excellent human resources, the company plans to reflect profits in wages. We are planning to raise wages by tens of thousands of yen.
Takumi Haginoya (30), a sales employee, said, "Even when I go shopping, I can feel the price increase. I'm happy that my salary is increasing and I just got married, but if my salary increases in the future, I will have children. My life plan may change. If I improve my skills and become a plus for the company, it will have a positive impact on my life, so I would like to continue contributing in the future."
President Daisuke Yamaki said, "To be honest, this is the first time I've experienced soaring raw material prices, and I'm very upset, and it's a very difficult situation for management. , We are looking for a business method that can manufacture high value-added products for specific customers and present a reasonable price. I think it is very important to create a salary system that allows employees to envision the future."
Rengo Chairman Yoshino "It is important to be able to pass on wage increases for small and medium-sized enterprises"
After the meeting with Keidanren, Rengo Chairman Yoshino said, ``I was aware that Keidanren and Rengo have almost the same way of thinking.''
On top of that, he said, ``I think that this year's wage revision is very important in terms of breaking out of deflation.There are still some industries that are still difficult and uncertain, but wage revisions will end only this year. No. Continuity is very important, so I would like to expect such a perspective.”
He also said, "It is important to see how much wage increases can be passed on to small and medium-sized enterprises, and on top of that, the cooperation of large companies is extremely important."