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Chapter 1: 01. Introduction

Chapter 1
01. Introduction

Understand the System specified skilled workers in the Construction Sector from Scratch!

Introduction

The number of young people working on construction sites continues to decrease, and the labor shortage is becoming more serious. In response to this, the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act was amended at the extraordinary Diet session in 2018, and a new residence status, "Specified Skills," was created.

This residence status is a system that accepts foreign nationals as workers with equal treatment as Japanese people in specific industrial fields where there is still a serious labor shortage despite every effort being made.

Compared to other industries, the construction industry has a higher rate of missing technical intern trainees, and in some cases the missing trainees end up working illegally at other construction sites. There are also concerns that if rival companies start hiring foreigners as cheap labor, it could distort the fair competitive environment among construction companies. As an industry, it is necessary to firmly establish rules on wages, social insurance, and safety and health, and eliminate companies that do not follow the rules.

To address these issues, in the construction sector, before obtaining residence status from the Immigration Services Agency, the accepting company is now required to prepare an acceptance plan and obtain certification from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, and even after certification, the implementation status of the certified plan is required to be confirmed by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism or an appropriate employment supervision organization.

And with the establishment of this system, unlike the past where people were not allowed to continue to stay in Japan after completing Technical Intern Training (ii), etc., it is now possible for them to continue working as a valuable asset for a company for a total of five years. In addition, people who have completed Technical Intern Training and have returned to their home countries can now be called back and directly employed.

Glossary

Specified Skills: Name of status of residence

1. Specified Skilled Worker (i)

It is granted to foreign nationals who have a considerable degree of knowledge or experience, after going through certain procedures.

Total period of stay: 5 years
In principle, family members cannot accompany

2. Specified Skilled Worker (ii)

This visa is granted to foreign nationals with skilled skills after going through certain procedures.

No limit on renewal of period of stay
Only spouses and children supported by Specified Skilled Worker (ii) can accompany them.

1. Job types accepted

A cabinet decision on August 30, 2022 revised the work classification, making it possible to accept foreign nationals with "Specified Skills" residence status in all occupations in the construction sector.
The new business categories will be "civil engineering," "architecture," and "lifelines and facilities."