Takashimaya to ensure safe, sound work conditions for workers abroad

TOKYO, Nov. 8 Kyodo -
Major department store operator Takashimaya Co. and its employees have agreed to sign a deal to ensure healthy working conditions for workers at its overseas outlets and fulfill its corporate social responsibility, company officials said Saturday.

It will be the first such agreement to be signed between labor and management
of a Japanese company, according to the Japanese Trade Union Confederation, or
Rengo.
The deal is to help forestall possible disputes between Takashimaya's
management and its workers abroad.
The Osaka-based company operates outlets in the United States, France,
Singapore and Taiwan.
Under the agreement, Takashimaya promises to meet the minimum standard of wages
and other conditions for its workers, guarantee workers' rights to collective
bargaining and other procedures to resolve disputes with management, maintain
safe and healthy working environments and promote an environmentally-friendly
management style.
The deal will be signed Tuesday in Switzerland by four parties -- labor and
management, the Japan Federation of Service and Distributive Workers Unions, to
which the company's labor union belongs, as well as the Union Network
International comprising international sectors of labor unions.
In case disputes occur between labor and management, the Union Network
International will arbitrate them, the company officials said.
''A manager who denies a labor union will not be allowed to take part in
management overseas,'' said Yoshio Murata, head of Takashimaya's labor union.
''If the company expands its corporate social responsibility overseas, it will
help enhance its corporate image and subsequently improve labor conditions for
employees as well.''
==Kyodo