Overview of specified skilled workers System

On December 14, 2018, the Act amending the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act and the Ministry of Justice Establishment Act (Act No. 102 of 2018) was promulgated. This created a new residence status, "Specified Skills." As a result, foreign workers are now able to work in 16 fields that have been identified as having serious labor shortages.

The construction industry, one of the 16 sectors, has also been plagued by a worsening labor shortage. The number of employees in the construction industry peaked at 6.85 million in 1997, and has fallen to 5.05 million as of November 2020. In the construction sector, where securing human resources is still difficult despite efforts to improve productivity and secure domestic human resources, a system has been established to accept foreign workers who have a certain level of expertise and skills and can immediately contribute to the construction industry.

Compared to other industries, the construction industry has a high rate of missing technical intern trainees, and the missing trainees are now 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, companies that accept specified skilled workers are now required to create an acceptance plan and obtain certification from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism before they obtain residence status from the Immigration Services Agency, and even after certification, they are required to have the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism or an appropriate employment supervision organization check the implementation status of the certified plan.

And with the establishment of this system, it has become possible for people to continue working as a valuable asset for a total of five years after completing Technical Intern Training (ii), etc. In addition, people who have completed Technical Intern Training and returned to their home countries can now be called back and directly employed.

In addition, if you gain a certain amount of practical experience as a team leader or foreman and pass the "The Specified Skills (ii) Evaluation Exam for Construction Industry" or the "Level 1 Skills Test," you will meet the requirements for Specified Skilled Worker (ii) residence status. If you receive permission for Specified Skilled Worker (ii), there is no limit to the renewal of your period of stay, and you will be able to bring your dependent spouse and children with you. A system is being put in place that allows foreigners working in the construction industry to plan their life plans in Japan and work long term.