International migration and global union: Filipino nurses and care workers

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Public Services International Japan Council (PSI-JC) and Union Network International Japan Council (UNI-JC) organised a joint workshop on 25th June in Tokyo, Japan.

In this workshop, both global unions and its affiliates discussed and examined the current situation of international migration of Filipino nurses and care workers in Japan who are working under the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA). Japan is badly in need of nurses, assistant nurses and care workers to work in health facilities. Bad working conditions and low wages have resulted in the fact that there are insufficent health workers from the country to work in the heath facilities. In order to look at these challenges and find solutions, Japan had allowed foreign nurses and care workers to work in their health care system. Indonesia and Philippines have signed agreement with Japan to allowing their qualified nurses and care workers to work in Japan. However, they must study Japanese and pass the national licensure examinations to meet the qualification standards of professionals in the Japan Health Care System.

The participants had interesting discussions regarding the foreign health workers who enter the labour market in Japan. They felt that the global financial crisis and its impact on jobs should encourage the country to employ its own nationals instead of depending on foreign workers. Crucial factors to attract Japanese workers in the health sector include better working conditions, wages and other terms of employment. However, the unions realised that the shortage of nurses and care workers is a serious issue not only in Japan but also in sending countries. They also discussed the difficulty that many foreign workers have to adapt to the Japanese culture and language.

Participants felt that the agreements had neglected the unions during the consultation and preparation processes, with the result that the agreements do not offer a realistic view of the working conditions that migrant workers should expect to find. Further serious issues are the phenomenon of brain drain and damage to the quality of health care quality in the sending countries. However, when nurses and care workers are considering to work overseas, it was highly recommended that unions must take an active part in the ethical recruitment of migrant workers to avoid employment mismatches and exploitation. The Japanese unions will support the foreign workers to ensure that they will be respected and guaranteed of their basic rights like their Japanese colleagues. Norman Grecia from the Alliance Filipino Workers (AFW) said that “AFW, which is a federation of health workers, may be a conduit from the Philippines and help facilitate the conduct of pre-employment and pre-departure orientations.”

Katsuhiko Sato, PSI AP Regional Secretary, in his response to the JPEPA recommended to forge a Japan-Philippines Union Partnership Agreement (JPUPA). As countries enter into bilateral agreements, unions must bind together and act collectively. Jose Umali Jr, General Secretary of the UNI – Philippines Council (UNI-PLC) proposed a cross-border unions cooperation from sending to receiving countries and setting up of a Help Desk similar to what UNI has set-up in Malaysia to assist migrant workers.

For more information please contact PSI AP Regional Secretary: katsuhiko.sato@world-psi.org.