Japan plans to opens more for “skilled blue collar jobs” for foreigners. Bill proposed.
(Excerpts from the article)
In a major policy shift for Japan, the bill would create new visa statuses to accept blue-collar foreign workers in sectors deemed seriously short of labor, ranging from construction and farming to nursing care. The program may also pave the way for them to live permanently in Japan.
How many in what sectors are expected?
- Upto 47,550 foreign workers could enter the country in the first year, possibly starting next April, and 345,150 workers over five years.
- 14 industrial sectors facing labor shortages that will be subject to proposed changes of the immigration law.
- By sector, nursing care is expected to accept the largest number of up to 60,000 workers in the five-year period, food services up to 53,000 workers and construction about 40,000.
- Farming is likely to get about 36,500, and building cleaning businesses around 37,000.
- The other sectors covered by the program are industrial machinery, electronics, shipbuilding, auto maintenance, components production, airlines, accommodation, fishing as well as food and beverage production.
When will this bill possibly get passed?
The government and the ruling coalition led by the Liberal Democratic Party are seeking to secure passage of the bill during the extraordinary Diet session by extending it to around Dec 20, but the plan is certain to face objections from opposition lawmakers.
Why is this happening now?
Japan has so far mainly accepted highly skilled professionals in such fields as medicine and law, while taking in only a tiny number of refugees. But it is now in need of more foreign workers due to a rapidly aging population and low birthrate.
According to the estimates, the country’s labor market is now short of 586,400 people and will face a shortfall of about 1.45 million in five years.
What Critics say?
The government’s plan to accept more foreign workers was largely welcomed by the 14 industries, but some experts doubt if enough skilled laborers from abroad would wish to work in those sectors.
“I am concerned about whether foreign workers with technical skills will really come to Japan to achieve the government’s target of welcoming 345,150 workers in five years,” said Makoto Kato, a researcher at Mitsubishi UFJ Research and Consulting Co.
“Labor shortages in sectors such as nursing care, construction and food services in particular occur because of low wages and labor conditions, regardless of whether you are Japanese or foreign,” he said. “It is necessary to implement other reforms such as increasing average wages within industries.”
Two types of new visas proposed in the bill !
(Bill not yet passed)
- Under the envisioned system, two new types of residence status for non-Japanese workers are expected to be created.
The first type, valid for up to five years, will go to those with adequate knowledge and experience.
The second type will be for foreign nationals needed in fields requiring higher skills. The government does not plan to set a limit on the number of visa renewals and will allow family members to accompany the workers, opening up the possibility for such people to live permanently in Japan. - A short report (sorry, in Japanese only)
https://youtu.be/wT-r097zs-s
Snippets Source Here and more :
