The lawsuit at Osaka District Court concerning Osaka University’s (Handai) refusal to convert long-serving part-time lecturers to unlimited-term employment has reached a critical stage. On 4 September, two witnesses from the university were questioned.

Many General Union members attended this Wednesday afternoon hearing to support their fellow union members who brought this suit against Handai and hear first-hand what these management witnesses had to say.

The witnesses were supposed to be testifying to the point that, “the our members were not workers” but rather private contractors. However, when asked for specific details in court, they repeatedly claimed ignorance or ended up making some critical mistakes.

For example, when questioned about the consumption tax, the witnesses admitted it was not included in the plaintiffs’ remuneration. If the plaintiffs were truly private contractors’, consumption tax should have been paid to our members. This admission strongly suggests that the our members’ remuneration was, in fact, and ‘employee’s wage’.

Ironically, the witnesses, who should have spoke sparingly to avoid exposing the truth, ended their testimony with statements that actually supported the our members’ claims.

Our struggle for fair employment practices and workers’ rights at Osaka University continues. The General Union remains committed to supporting our members through this legal battle and ensuring that part-time lecturers receive the employment status and security they deserve.