Hello, everyone.

This is Enta.

Recently, we have been handling the procedures and applications required to switch from the Technical Intern Training Program to the Specified Skilled Worker Program.

The Technical Intern Training Program itself has been facing a barrage of criticism from the public, and

The Technical Intern Training Program itself is set to be abolished next year.

And going forward (starting in 2024), the Specific Skilled Worker and Technical Intern Training programs will be replaced by something new that allows for job changes (the name has not yet been decided).

 

The great thing about this "Specified Skilled Worker" program is that it offers the same pay as Japanese workers, regardless of language proficiency or other factors.

"Compensation equal to or greater than that of Japanese nationals with similar skills"

It is said that...

 

As someone who had been critical of the Technical Intern Training Program itself said,

It’s a complete turnaround from the “slave system” where workers were paid low wages, to a situation where they now earn the same or more than Japanese workers.

(The Specified Skilled Worker Program began in 2019)

We also have a trainee who has completed the three-year Technical Intern Training Program and will be returning next year under the Specified Skilled Worker program.

I am currently 27 years old, have 3 years of experience, and am seeking a salary of at least 4.5 million (minimum total annual income).

My Japanese is fairly good, but I can't drive, so I can't meet with the general contractor, and I don't understand the technical terms.

Do you think they should be treated the same as Japanese people?

If I had to say, I can perform drilling operations for ground anchor construction.

I cannot perform spray application (as a spray operator).

 

What do you think?

Even young Japanese people don't make that much. (Probably.)

However, our 23-year-old employee attends meetings with the general contractor, drives a car, and holds various certifications.

In our case, since we supplement our income with overtime pay and business travel allowances, our annual income is about 300,000 to 500,000 yen higher than the baseline we set.

However, that’s not certain. (There are variations depending on the year, such as business trips and overtime.)

We'll be holding a meeting to decide on that as well.

 

I think that's a good idea. Japanese people tend to be weak in that area.

What I mean is that I want to set my own base salary.

Even so, there are limits.

The construction industry as it stands today isn't quite there yet. (But I'm confident things will improve in the future! lol)

Therefore, rather than forcing them to come here under the Specific Skilled Worker program right now, I believe that beginner-level technical interns are sufficient.

That said, things won’t continue that way in the future, so I think it will eventually be replaced by the “Specific Skilled Worker” visa.

 

However, the government’s policy requires that certificates be issued for amounts equal to or greater than those for Japanese nationals.

Personally, I think a high salary is a good thing, and in fact, the salaries for our technical interns are high.

I think it’s safe to say it ranks among the top in Aichi Prefecture. (I don’t know the details, but the union says it’s quite high.)

It's only natural that people who are capable earn high salaries.

 

I’d like to ask those who have criticized the Technical Intern Training Program.

Suppose there is a foreigner working alongside you who has been there for the same number of years.

Let's say your Japanese is so-so, and you have five years of work experience.

There are absolutely no qualifications required.

You'll handle all the meetings and paperwork, but you can handle the actual construction work just as well.

And the pay is exactly the same.

You do all the driving to work, while the Specific Skilled Worker sleeps in the passenger seat.

What do you think?

Since the Specified Skilled Worker program allows you to change jobs, I think if you don't like it, you should just move to another company.

However, I get the feeling that if things continue this way, it will be only the Japanese who end up worn out.

I feel that the system is creating inequality among Japanese people.

Let's give preferential treatment to foreigners while leaving the Japanese behind!?

Huh??

Isn't this starting to go in a weird direction??

 

Well, I hope things will get better eventually, but,

It’s true that, for now, there are some of these strange systems—or rules?—in place.

After all, we even have to submit the payroll records for other employees to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

 

Whether it's good or bad, the Japanese construction industry currently has no other viable option for securing workers, so...

I'm heading that way.

 

I'm wondering how things will turn out.

And there's a shitload of paperwork, so...Construction DXI wonder where they went.

 

See you later.