The Japan Council of Metalworkers' Unions said Wednesday its 2.25 million members should consider working shorter hours, entering job-sharing agreements and even accepting wage cuts to protect their jobs.
The council, which covers workers in the auto, electric appliance, steel and shipbuilding industries, issued the proposals during its annual convention in Tokyo.
It plans to finalize its position on these issues by fall 2002, union officials said.
The proposal marks a significant shift in the council's agenda, with protecting jobs amid a manufacturing slump taking the place of wage increases as the priority. The nation's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate reached a record high 5 percent in July, up 0.1 percentage point from June.
Major electrical appliance manufacturers are among the many companies to have announced severe job cuts.
Until now, the council has pushed for wage hikes during heated annual spring negotiations with management.
Job-sharing agreements are common in some European countries, with employees shortening their working hours to enable more people to stay employed. This system usually leads to lower wages.