[技能実習制度及び特定技能制度の在り方並びに新たな永住資格取消し制度の導入に関する政府方針に対する会長声明] 7 March 2024

[Japanese-to-English translation by Business & Human Rights Resource Centre]

On 9 February 2024, the cabinet adopted the "The Government’s Response to the Final Report on the Review of the Technical Intern Training Program" (hereinafter referred to as the "Plan")...

1. Problems with the Establishment of the Skill Developing Worker Programme

First, there is the issue of how the job place transfers based on individual's wishes should be carried out under the new programme...

In light of the fact that the current technical intern training programme restricted transfers for three years in principle and created a structural problem that forced technical interns to endure a problematic work environment, the new programme allowing transfers based on individual's wishes while limiting the period during which transfers are possible makes it practically difficult to transfer. The system design should be changed...

Second, there is the issue of how to ensure the independence and neutrality of supervising organisations in order to make its supervision and monitoring effective...

Unless fundamental reforms are made, such as not merely limiting the involvement of officers and employees with close ties to the accepting organisation, but also making it impossible for members of business cooperative associations to supervise a receiving institution, the supervision of the accepting organisation will not be effective.

1. Issues regarding the introduction of new procedures for revocation of residence status of permanent residents

The Plan states that "the permanent resident status will be optimised because the number of foreign nationals accepted under the specified skills system, which leads to permanent residence, is expected to increase through the new programme."

However, the residence status of permanent residents has strict requirements... It is already possible to impose sanctions such as seisure or penalties on those who have been granted permanent residence permits after a rigorous screening process, under circumstances where they are unable to pay taxes or social insurance premiums due to unemployment or other reasons, or they violate penal laws and regulations to the extent that they do not fall under grounds for deportation... Furthermore, the "appropriate system for permanent residence permits" will have a tremendous impact not only on those who have changed their status of residence from "specified skilled worker" to "permanent resident," but also on foreign nationals who have made Japan their permanent home or intend to make it their permanent home.

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