THE Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) has issued guidelines for the deployment of workers to Japan under a latest bilateral agreement with Tokyo, a few weeks before a new Japanese law admitting new categories of workers with specialized skills takes effect in April.
In Department Order 201-19 dated March 22, the department outlined the occupations covered by the Memorandum of Cooperation with Japan’s Ministries of Justice, Foreign Affairs, Health, Labor and Welfare and the National Police Agency.
The two categories are Specified Skilled Worker (i) who will work in Japan for five years at maximum; and Specified Skilled Worker (ii) whose terms will be determined by contract as well as any extensions.
In December, the Japanese government signed into law its latest immigration policy for workers with specified skills. These occupations include care workers; building managers; machine parts and tooling workers; industrial machinery specialists; electric, electronics, and information workers; construction workers; shipbuilding and ship machinery workers; automobile repair and maintenance specialists; aviation workers; accommodations industry workers; agriculture, fisheries and aquaculture workers; food and beverage manufacturing workers; and food service specialists. The law will be effective on April 11.
“These guidelines shall cover the identified occupational categories of 25 December 2018 provided by the Basic Policy Operation of the System of the Status of Residence of ‘Specified Skilled Worker,’” according to the DO, signed by Labor Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III.
Qualified applicants for Specified Skilled Worker (ii) must be at least 18 years old; possess proof or evaluation of skills and knowledge in the specified skilled work fields they plan to enter employment in Japan; and a passport valid for six months before the intended date of departure.
Qualifications for Specified Skilled Worker (i) are identical to those of Specified Skilled Worker (ii) but also stipulate proof of proficiency in the Japanese language and for their line of work.
The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) will send to the Japanese Ministries and Agencies the names of organizations or recruitment agencies authorized to recruit and place specified skilled workers.
Filipinos are considered one of priority nationalities under the new Japanese law, Mr. Bello saying that the Philippines will fill about 30% of the 350,000 worker quota. — Gillian M. Cortez
