14 March, 2011IMF sends message of condolence and solidarity to its Japanese affiliate, union members and their families, following the massive earthquake and tsunamis that caused untold devastation and damage to the eastern part of Japan.
JAPAN: The International Metalworkers' Federation sent a letter of condolence and solidarity to IMF-JC following the massive earthquake and tsunami that hit in the Tokohu area of the eastern part of Japan on March 11, 2011.
Registering at 9.0 magnitude it was the biggest earthquake ever recorded in Japan, the fifth biggest earthquake in the world since 1900, generating potentially damaging tsunamis across the Pacific.
The full extent of the loss of life and damage is still unknown. Of particular ongoing concern at the moment are the nuclear power plants in the region. The brave workers at the Fukushima Power Plants are risking their lives working to contain the difficult situation following explosions at reactors 1 and 3
"The world has been shocked by the devastation and terrible loss of life from the earthquake and tsunami of March 11, 2011. Metalworkers from around the world express solidarity and send their condolences to workers and their families who have lost so much at this tragic time," wrote IMF General Secretary Jyrki Raina in a letter of solidarity to Japanese union members and their families.
Many auto and steel plants in the region, as well as small- the medium-sized metal industrial plants, have been affected by the quake. Japanese manufacturers, already struggling with the effect of the quake in their own operations, are now also dealing with rolling blackouts taking place across greater Tokyo, due to the shortage of power.
The damage to infrastructure and power cuts, which are expected to continue into April, are also impacting on transportation causing many employers to urge employees to stay at home.
The IMF-JC reports that it is prioritizing an investigation into the situation for its members and their families, which will take some time given the massive scale of the tragedy. This tragic event has also occurred right before IMF-JC's annual 'spring wage struggle'. As a result the IMF-JC Unified Response Day, scheduled to take place on March 16, will not be using the word "Unified" this time, and will have flexibility for those unions which are facing difficulty given the quake.
The top officers of IMF-JC will also participate in an extraordinary meeting of RENGO, the national trade union centre, which has been called to determine how trade unions in Japan and around the world can best respond to the crisis, including the possible formation of union volunteers, and an aid fund. The IMF will report to its affiliates on the outcome of this meeting as soon as possible.
In the meantime, IMF affiliates are advised to please direct messages of solidarity to:
Koichiro Nishihara
President
IMF-JC
[email protected]
Fax: +813 3274 2476