Labor unions at Japanese electronics makers will demand a pay scale hike of at least ?18,000 a month, a record high, in this year¡¯s ²õ³ó³Ü²Ô³Ù¨­ spring wage talks, their umbrella organization said Tuesday.

Last year, member unions of the Japanese Electrical Electronic and Information Union demanded an increase of at least ?17,000.

¡°We¡¯ll work to achieve a higher pay increase than last year¡¯s level to ensure a virtuous economic cycle,¡± Masashi Jinbo, head of the umbrella group, said at a meeting of its central committee.

The labor unions will also request annual bonuses equivalent to at least four months¡¯ pay.

They will also seek to set up a rule to have companies avoid contacting employees in their off-hours, to secure enough break time.

Japanese electronics industry unions customarily put forward a uniform demand in ²õ³ó³Ü²Ô³Ù¨­ talks. Each union will submit its demand by Feb. 19 and companies will respond to the demands in mid-March.