BY DANIE MAE FAJARDO-DELA CRUZ
MANILA – So that the Philippines can be the number one source of skilled workers in Japan, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) is seeking stronger relations with Japanese employers and the Japanese government.
For starters, according to Secretary Susan Ople, DMW will establish a Japan desk in the department.
This would hasten address the concerns of both Japanese employers and Filipino migrant workers in Japan, and those wanting to work there, she said.
Japanese employers are seeking more skilled workers, according to Ople who joined the official delegation of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to Japan last week.
“The general sentiment among Japanese employers is that Filipino workers brighten up their workplaces and are highly reliable and trainable,” said Ople.
She, however, noted a major challenge – the language proficiency test that those already working in Japan must hurdle.
Under the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement, this concern is being addressed by the Preparatory Japanese-Language Training (PJLT) program – a language learning intervention mechanism.
PJLT requires candidates to undergo a six-month intensive training on Japanese language basics. It allows a worker to qualify under the Special Skilled Worker program. He must either have practical experience in the industry in the form of previous technical intern training experience (a minimum of three years of technical intern training), or pass the necessary Japanese language exams and the skills exam corresponding to his chosen industry.
Recently, the Migrant Workers Office in Osaka, Japan headed by Labor Attaché Elizabeth Estrada held a consultation meeting and dialogue. Over 80 Japanese employers attended./PN
