Requested the government to abolish the technical intern training system that "does not require slavery". The movement spreads nationwide

“A society where workers can live and work with peace of mind as human beings.”

Overwork, non-payment of wages, violence and forced abortion …foreignerAs human rights violations against technical intern trainees continue, there is a nationwide movement to abolish the technical intern training system.

“Technical intern training system!” “No!”

“Slavery!” “No!”

June 12, noon, Ueno, Tokyo. While it was raining, about 200 technical intern trainees and supporters marched on a demonstration and called for the abolition of the foreign technical intern training system.

In addition to Spreichkor, a Spanish singing voice calling for the protection of workers also echoed. The staff of the store along the road went out of the store and gazed at the demonstration line.

The demonstration was sponsored by the executive committee of the “Abolition of the Foreign Technical Intern Training Program! National Caravan” created by organizations and networks nationwide, such as the NPO “National Network for Solidarity with Migrants” (Ijuren).

The caravan was launched in late May. Aiming to abolish the system, it is said that it has been engaged in activities such as street standing in 43 prefectures so far.

What is the foreign technical intern training system?

Technical intern trainees refer to those who live in Japan using the foreign technical intern training system.About 350,000 people(As of October 2021).

The purpose of the system is to “promote international cooperation by transferring skills, techniques or knowledge to developing regions through human resource development” and “should not be done as a means of adjusting the supply and demand of the labor force”. And by lawIt is decided。

However, in reality, it has been repeatedly pointed out that “replenishment of the labor force” for companies and “migrant work” for trainees seem to be the actual situation, and that the real intention is different from that of the pre-construction.

The system is such that you come to Japan through the sending organization in your home country.Many apprentices are in debt to pay brokerage fees and education costs.

Furthermore, there is a structural problem that trainees are vulnerable to human rights violations due to the fact that job changes are not permitted in principle.

Yuki Takada / Huffpost Japan

“Responsibility transfer to farmers and president”

On the 13th, the day after the demonstration held in Tokyo, the executive committee of the national caravan submitted a request to the government including Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to abolish the technical intern training system.

In the request form, there are structural problems such as the trainees carrying a large amount of debt when they come to Japan and the freedom to change jobs is not granted, which makes the trainees vulnerable to infringement of rights. Pointed out that it is placed in.We called for the abolition of the technical intern training system within 2022.

At a press conference after the submission of the request, Eriko Suzuki, co-representative director of the Immigration Federation, said, “There is no other system (for accepting foreign workers), so all industries must rely on the technical intern training system. It is in a bad state. As a result, not only the technical intern trainee himself but also his family and the accepting company are sacrificed by the system. “

“As long as we continue this system, there can be no optimization. Now is the time for politics to make a decision,” he said.

Eriko Suzuki, co-representative director of the Immigration Federation (right)

Mr. Ippei Torii, the representative director of the Immigration Federation, said, “The reality is the problem of the (industrial) leader. Problems that cannot be solved by one farmer or one president can be solved individually under the technical intern training system. I think he has been transferred to the responsibility. “

He emphasized, “We have to think about industrial policy as to what to do with the leaders of all industries such as the primary industry and the manufacturing industry.”

Minister of Justice Furukawa “Boldly Review”

Regarding both the “technical intern training” and the “specific skills” system established to expand the employment of foreign workers, Minister of Justice Yoshihisa Furukawa said in January.Feeling of the year“These are just about to be reviewed. At this time, I would like to boldly work on the review work.”

In addition, he expressed a positive attitude toward the review of the technical intern training system, saying, “We must face the opinions and suggestions that there is a distorted use between the true intention and the tatemae.”

Minister of Justice Furukawa will then consider reviewing these systems.We have a study session。