The government on Friday formally decided to abolish the controversial foreign technical intern program, marking a significant shift in its approach to workers from overseas. In its place, there will be a new system enabling long-term residency.
The new system is aimed at bringing foreign workers up to a certain skill level within three years, paving the way for a long-term stay in Japan.
The plan also allows for conditional transfers to different workplaces within the same field after a certain period, a departure from the previous program’s emphasis on transferring technical skills back to developing countries. Instead, it will focus on securing and developing essential workers from abroad to tackle Japan’s current labor shortage, which is being exacerbated by its shrinking population.
Job transfers will be allowed within one to two years based on the nature of the work, although this could be subject to change.
The current system, which generally does not allow transfers, has been criticized over rights violations, such as unpaid wages and long working hours.
Japan aims to have a harmonious society and be a nation attractive to foreign workers, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said during a meeting to discuss the issue on Friday. Legislation introducing the new system is set to be submitted during the ongoing parliamentary session.
The new system aims to develop individuals’ skills to the equivalent of those of Specified Skilled Worker No. 1 visa holders, who are allowed to work in Japan for a maximum of five years. Under the Specified Skilled Worker No. 2 status, which requires advanced skills in specific industries, individuals can stay in Japan indefinitely and are able to bring their families to Japan.
Under the new system, it is envisaged that interns will be able to progress to the No. 1 visa and then the No. 2 status.
Organizations employing foreign workers will be required to appoint external auditors. Job placement agencies will be temporarily barred in order to prevent exploitation by brokers.
The policy also aims to streamline the permanent residency system, in anticipation of an increase in applications for the status. The government is considering legislative amendments to revoke permanent residency in cases where holders fail to fulfill public obligations, such as the payment of taxes and social insurance premiums.
In November, a final report by the government reviewing the existing program noted that changes should take into account the protection of the human rights of foreign nationals, enhance their rights as workers and create an easy-to-understand system within which non-Japanese can advance their careers.
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