``This year'' rising expectations Wage increase will be realized January 26 16:46
I was a little surprised by the words of the person in charge at a consulting firm that supports labor unions,
saying, "The labor union is asking for a wage increase."
rice field.
Expectations of record high prices and higher wages.
"Will wages go up?"
We will explore based on a survey of 100 companies conducted by NHK.
(Economic Department reporter Asami Terada)
"This year is the bear acquisition!"
The interviewee was a labor union of an IT company in Tokyo.
About 800 members.
On the 24th of this month, a discussion was held for a wage increase.
We have decided to seek a "base increase" to raise the base salary in the spring negotiations with the company starting next month.
Expectations for higher wages than usual.
In the background are voices complaining about the impact of record high prices on people's lives.
“Utilities and food costs are rising, and it is affecting my life.
”
General Secretary Ishikawa
: “There are many voices saying that rising prices are having an impact on people’s lives, so we would like to proceed with negotiations with a focus on raising wages. , I would like to work on a form that benefits both parties so that it can lead to innovation for the company as well.”
20% increase in specialized labor union consulting
However, it is also an issue whether the labor union can ask management to raise wages and proceed with negotiations.
At a company that provides consulting services to about 1,800 labor unions in Tokyo annually, the number of consultations from unions has increased by about 20% compared to last year's spring labor offensive.
It is said that many of the consultations are that they do not know how to proceed with negotiations with management and how to decide the level of wage increase they are requesting.
The consulting firm believes that behind the increase in consultations is the fact that there are many workers in charge of labor unions who have little experience in negotiating wage increases, as wages have been sluggish for a long time.
My analysis is that in such a situation, the number of labor unions deciding on demands for wage increases is increasing in response to record price increases.
Vice President Yoshikawa
: “As prices rise, expectations are rising for wage increases to protect our livelihoods. I am confused.”
“Voices from the workplace” are important in wage negotiations
The labor union of an IT company in Tokyo is one of the unions we consult with.
Personnel at a consulting company conducted a questionnaire survey on how high prices have affected the lives of employees, and gathered voices in the workplace to visualize how much the efforts of employees contributed to the company's performance. I was advised to do so.
And I told management that we should clearly show the grounds for the wage increase and proceed with the negotiations.
The labor union will consider how to explain "why a wage increase is necessary" to the management side during the spring labor negotiations, and will decide the details of specific demands such as the amount of wage increase in the future.
In the survey of 100 companies…
On the other hand, how is the management approaching this year's spring struggle?
From the 23rd of last month to the 13th of this month, NHK conducted a questionnaire survey on wage increases for 100 major domestic companies.
When asked if they would raise wages,
14 companies responded that they would raise wages,
and 28 companies responded that they would likely raise
wages.
In addition, when asked about their thoughts on wage increases with multiple answers, 25 companies answered that they would implement a "base increase" that raises basic salaries uniformly.
This is a significant increase compared to last year's survey conducted before the spring labor offensive, in which only five companies responded that they would raise their base pay.
Also, when I asked about the starting salary of new employees joining this year,
▽ 16 companies have “raised” and
▽ 43 companies are “under consideration”.
It can be seen that there is a growing momentum among major companies to raise wages in order to respond to rising prices, improve motivation and secure excellent human resources.
70% of SMEs have no plans to raise wages
On the other hand, there is also a survey result that it is not easy for small and medium-sized enterprises to raise wages.
Jonan Shinkin Bank in Tokyo conducted an interview survey of more than 700 small and medium-sized business partners, and 537 companies answered that they have no plans to raise wages, or 72.8%. .
198 companies (26.8%) answered that they were planning to raise wages.
In the survey, it is conspicuous that the management environment of small and medium-sized enterprises is severe and wage increases are not easy.
Food and beverage
industry
"We have not been able to get out of the corona disaster, and the company's business conditions are bad
.
"
“The profit environment is severe due to the effects of corona and the weak yen, and it is not possible to respond to wage increases.”
Construction industry
“There is no leeway due to rising costs such as fuel and raw material prices.”
Manufacturing industry
“Prices have risen and profits have not increased. We can't raise labor costs."
Focus on wage increases
In addition to the impact of the prolonged corona disaster, there are voices that SMEs have no funds even if they want to raise wages, saying that profits are being squeezed by cost increases due to soaring raw material prices.
With record prices continuing to rise, this year's spring labor offensive will focus on whether wage increases will spread, including among small and medium-sized enterprises, and how far the rate of wage increases will grow.
Will there be a strong wage hike and a virtuous economic cycle?
I would like to continue reporting on the spring labor offensive, which will determine the future of the Japanese economy.
NHK 100 company survey Respondent companies (in alphabetical order)
IHI, Iris Ohyama, Asahi Kasei, Asahi Group Holdings, Ajinomoto, Aeon, Isuzu Motors, Idemitsu Kosan, Itochu Corporation, Internet Initiative Japan, AGC, ANA Holdings, SG Holdings, ENEOS Holdings, Oji Holdings, Kao, Kashima, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Canon, Kyocera, Kirin Holdings, KDDI, Komatsu Ltd., CyberAgent, Suntory Holdings, JFE Holdings, JTB, J. Front Retailing, Shionogi & Co., Ltd., Shiseido, Shimizu Corporation, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Skylark Holdings. , Suzuki, SUBARU, Sumitomo Chemical, Sumitomo Metal Mining, Sumitomo Corporation, Sumitomo Electric Industries, Seibu Holdings, Z Holdings, Seven & i Holdings, Zensho Holdings, Daiwa Securities Group Inc., Chubu Electric Power, Tsuruha, DeNA, Denso, Central Japan Railway Company, Tokyo Electron, Tokio Marine Holdings, Tokyo Gas, Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings, Toshiba, Toray, Toppan Printing, Toyota Motor, Nissan Motor, Nippon Paper Industries, Nippon Steel, NEC, Nippon Telegraph and Telephone, Japan Airlines, Japan Life Insurance, Nidec, Nintendo, Nomura Holdings, Hakuhodo, Panasonic Holdings, East Japan Railway Company, Hitachi Construction Machinery, Hitachi, Bic Camera, BIPROGY, Fast Retailing, Fujitsu, Fujifilm Holdings, Bridgestone, Mazda, Mizuho Financial Group, Mitsui Sumitomo Financial Group, Mitsui & Co., Mitsui Fudosan, Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings, Mitsubishi Chemical Group, Mitsubishi Motors, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Mitsubishi Corporation, Mitsubishi Electric, Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Murata Manufacturing, Meiji, Mercari, Mos Food Service, Yamato Holdings, Yamaha Motor, Unicharm, Rakuten Group, Recruit, Lawson
Economic Department Reporter
Asami Terada
Joined in 2009
Responsible for distribution, prices, etc.