Shunto Rengo and Zenroren publish the status of the companies that responded, including the amount of wage increases

During this year's spring labor campaign, Rengo, a central organization of labor unions, compiled a tally of more than 700 companies that had responded so far, and found that the average wage increase was 16,469 yen per month, or a rate of 5.28%. This is the first time in 33 years since 1991 that it has exceeded 5%.

This is an increase of 1.48 points compared to the same period last year.

In addition, the labor organization Zenroren has released its responses to date, showing that the average wage increase was 7,447 yen per month, or 2.52%, the highest level in about 25 years.

However, they are willing to continue negotiations, saying that the level has not reached a level that can support people's lives amid soaring prices.

Union Wage increase exceeds 5% for the first time in 33 years “Connecting the flow to the whole society”

Rengo has announced the status of the labor unions of 771 companies for which management has responded by 10 a.m. on the 15th regarding the recent spring labor unions, which had their intensive response day on the 13th.

According to this, the average wage increase, which includes regular salary increases and base increases, was 16,469 yen per month, or 5.28%, exceeding 5% for the first time in 33 years since 1991.

Compared to the same period last year, the wage increase was 4,625 yen, an increase of 1.48 points.

Additionally, the average hourly wage increase for non-regular workers was 71.10 yen, the highest increase since 2013, when the federation began collecting data.

On the day of concentrated responses on the 13th, there were a number of high-level responses from major companies in the automobile, electronics, and steel industries, including full wage increases, and some companies even raised wages that exceeded the union's demands.

Many small and medium-sized enterprises are planning to begin full-scale negotiations in the future, and the focus is on whether they can spread the tide of wage increases.

Rengo plans to release the final tally results, including companies that are conducting labor-management negotiations, in July this year.

At a press conference on the 15th, Rengo Chairman Yoshino said, ``Currently, my impression is that the number of unions that have responded to their demands in full or in excess of their demands is higher than last year.''This is the first wage increase rate of 5% in 33 years. We believe that we have made a suitable start to Japan's stage transition.The fact that meaningful negotiations were held this year has important implications that will lead to sustainable wage increases from next year onwards.''

He added, ``Our mission is to see how much we can spread this trend to small and medium-sized enterprises and workplaces without labor unions, and the real critical moment is now.We need to connect this trend to society as a whole. I believe that it is the role of the unions and federations that have taken the lead, so I will continue to support them to the best of my ability."

Zenroren: Wage increase is at the highest level in about 25 years, but it is still “not at a level that can support a standard of living”

Zenroren, a labor organization with approximately 700,000 members, has set out a policy of demanding more than 10% of wages, or more than 30,000 yen per month, in this year's spring strike, and is pursuing negotiations with management, including the implementation of a strike. We have been negotiating.

Zenroren has announced the status of the 383 labor unions that have responded so far, and the average wage increase, which includes regular salary increases and base increases, was 7,447 yen per month, or 2.52%.

This is an increase of 1,802 yen, or 0.45 points, over the same period last year, and is the first increase in 25 years.

However, there is a large discrepancy between the standards requested and only 40 unions, or approximately 10%, have reached an agreement, with many unions planning to continue negotiations.

By industry, while there were relatively high levels of responses in the wholesale and retail industries, there were many responses in the medical field that were lower than last year.

Director-General Koichi Kurosawa said, ``There are a number of major companies that have settled at a high level, but there are only a handful of them, and it will be difficult for small and medium-sized enterprises to raise their wages.They are far from meeting the minimum requirements needed to support their daily lives, and real wages will continue to decline. "This is a level that we cannot escape from. We will continue to fight until we receive a satisfactory answer."

Economic Revitalization Minister Shindo “Strong trend of wage increases, encouraging efforts by labor and management”

Regarding this year's spring labor union, Economic Revitalization Minister Shindo said at a press conference after the cabinet meeting, ``There is a very strong trend toward wage increases, and I am encouraged by the efforts of labor and management.In order to spread this trend to small and medium-sized enterprises, etc. We need to provide more support in terms of management so that companies in the red can turn back into the black, as well as support for capital investment.''

Regarding the Bank of Japan's monetary policy meeting to be held next week, he said, ``The Bank of Japan is working closely with the government to take appropriate measures to achieve the price stability target in a sustained and stable manner, accompanied by wage increases. I look forward to the conduct of monetary policy."

Finance Minister Suzuki: “The government will also support wage increases”

At a press conference after the Cabinet meeting, Finance Minister Suzuki emphasized that the government will support wage increases, in response to a series of agreements with large companies leading to high wage increases during this year's spring labor union. did.

In this regard, Finance Minister Suzuki said, ``There is a strong trend of wage increases centered on major companies.I hope that this trend will spread to small and medium-sized enterprises and that wage increases will be higher than last year.The government is also looking forward to increasing wages. I would like to mobilize all possible measures to ensure that this trend continues."

On the other hand, regarding the Bank of Japan's monetary policy meeting to be held next week, Minister Suzuki was asked whether the situation with the spring labor union was a tailwind for the lifting of negative interest rates, and Minister Suzuki answered, ``The situation with wage increases has changed since last year, especially among large companies. The revised figure for GDP (gross domestic product) from October to December of last year was positive for the first time in two quarters, but the specific method of monetary policy and interpretation of the underlying economic and financial situation is left to the Bank of Japan. The government must refrain from making any comments.''