The nation's largest labor organization said Wednesday it will give priority to narrowing social disparity in its policies for fiscal 2006 by extending support for part-time and temporary workers and small and midsize companies.

At its annual general meeting, the Japanese Trade Union Confederation, or Rengo, also criticized Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's economic policies, saying the social divide has widened under his market-oriented ways.

"I expect our union members to seriously consider the treatment of part-time workers and nonpermanent employees," departing Rengo President Kiyoshi Sasamori told the conference.

The 6.6 million-member labor organization said it will seek to bring about equal treatment in wages and other benefits between full-time and part-time workers and male and female workers.

It will also seek to enhance the status of workers at smaller companies to narrow the disparity with those employed by big firms.

While welcoming Rengo's efforts to help reform the social welfare system, Koizumi, who attended the conference as a guest, called for further cooperation from the organization.

"Japan's reforms will not be realized without cooperation by various circles," he said.

An election to pick Rengo's new chief will be held Thursday, the second day of the annual convention.

Tsuyoshi Takagi, 61, head of the Japanese Federation of Textile, Chemical, Food, Commercial, Service and General Workers' Unions (UI Zensen Domei), is expected to be elected as Rengo's new chief, replacing Sasamori, who has served since 2001.

Momoyo Kamo, 56, chairwoman of the Japan Community Union Federation, also announced she is running for the presidency.