894.5043/9–1146
The Political Adviser in Japan (Atcheson) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 23.]
The United States Political Adviser has the honor to forward herewith as an accompaniment88 copies of the “First Interim Report on Treatment of Workers’ Organizations in Japan Since the Surrender” prepared by General Headquarters, Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers.
The major section of the report deals with the implementation of policies on workers’ organizations and the protection of workers and the action taken thereunder based on the policies laid down in the White House announcement of September 22, 1945,89 and the Supreme Commander’s statement of October 11, 1945.90 The specific action taken under each of the following eleven headings is set forth in detail in the report:
- (1)
- That recognition be given the freedom of industrial and agricultural workers to join trade unions or other organizations of their choice for purposes of improving their terms and conditions of employment and mutual protection.
- (2)
- That provision be made for legal safeguards for workers’ organizations in carrying out of legitimate trade union functions.
- (3)
- That positive encouragement to the development of labor organizations be given in the employment and labor policies of the Occupation Forces themselves.
- (4)
- That trade unions have the right of free assembly, speech and press, and access to broadcasting facilities on a nondiscriminatory [Page 313] basis, provided only that such assembly, speech or writing would not interfere with military necessity or public security.
- (5)
- That all laws and other regulations be abrogated which prevent or have the effect of preventing (a) the free organization of trade unions for the purposes of improving wages, hours and working conditions and the rendering of mutual assistance, and (b) the performance of other legitimate activities directed to these ends.
- (6)
- That persons who had been imprisoned because of activity of “thought” in connection with trade unions and other labor organization activity be released as promptly as proper examination procedure permitted.
- (7)
- That patriotic workers’ organizations or their affiliates, such as the Patriotic Industrial Associations, be dissolved.
- (8)
- That as soon as workers’ organizations were formed in consonance with democratic principles, they be encouraged to bargain collectively with employers regarding the terms of employment, subject to such policies on wages, hours and working conditions as would be established through the Japanese Government.
- (9)
- That the Japanese Government should establish adjustment machinery for dealing with industrial disputes that could not be settled by direct and voluntary negotiation between the worker or his representative and the employer.
- (10)
- That strikes and other work stoppages be prohibited only when such stoppages would interfere with military operations or military security or directly prejudice the objectives or needs of the Occupation.
- (11)
- That Japanese Government agencies which had been set up or had functioned for the purpose of or in such a way as to obstruct free labor organization and legitimate trade union activities be abolished or their powers in respect to labor revoked, and all individuals who had been directly connected in a responsible capacity with the obstruction or repression of trade union organization or activity be declared ineligible for employment in labor agencies or as mediators, conciliators or arbitrators.
In the final section of the report, the present situation is summarized under (a) unions and union membership, (b) national labor unions, (c) federation of labor unions, and (d) regional councils and is supported by charts showing the breakdown by industries, number of unions, male members, and female members on a national scale and by prefectures.