On 5 June 2024, following the release of MMN’s advocacy paper, Who pays? Recruitment Fees for Migrant Workers from Vietnam, Cambodia and Myanmar to Japan, MMN and Kyoto University’s Asian Studies Unit collaborated to host a Panel Discussion on the Future of Labour Migration to Japan. The event at Kyoto University was attended by more than 30 participants, including CSO representatives, academic experts, private sector actors, recruitment agencies, lawyers and university students. The event was livestreamed allowing stakeholders from migrant countries of origin, development agencies and UN bodies to join the discussion.
In his opening remarks, Mr. Hideo Tone of the Toyota Foundation, emphasised that migration is both a cross-border and cross-sectoral issue that requires mutual understanding to tackle the challenges that arise. He noted that the panel discussion provided a timely opportunity to discuss changes to Japan’s labour migration policies and foster greater cooperation among stakeholders.
During the morning session, Prof. Wako Asato of Kyoto University detailed the upcoming changes to Japan’s labour migration system. His presentation set the stage for further discussion by highlighting the implications of the new work permit system, Ikusei Shuro, which is due to replace the Technical Intern Trainee Program (TITP). To provide further context, MMN showcased its short documentary film, Building the Future Together: Mekong Migrants in Japan. Additionally, Ms. Ma Thet, a representative from an MMN member organisation, updated participants on the migration situation following the coup and the onset of civil war in Myanmar.
The afternoon panel discussion commenced with Ms. Reiko Harima, MMN Regional Coordinator, emphasising the need to deepen constructive cooperation between stakeholders in countries of origin and Japanese employers towards a Zero Recruitment Fee model. In the subsequent discussion, Mr. Shohei Sugita, Attorney at Law, shared insights on promoting this model from the perspective of Japanese employers. He highlighted initiatives undertaken by JP-MIRAI (Japan Platform for Migrant Workers towards Responsible and Inclusive Society), including their guidelines on fair and ethical recruitment.
Next, Ms. Tinh Le, Program Coordinator from the Center for Development and Integration, provided a detailed account of efforts to regulate recruitment fees in Vietnam. These initiatives include implementing legal caps and establishing a Code of Conduct (CoC) for recruitment agencies. While these measures are well-meant, she noted that weak law enforcement and the voluntary nature of the CoC hinder significant progress.
A representative of a recruitment agency in Hanoi then shared the perspective of a Vietnamese recruitment agency. He explained that the involvement of brokers in the migration process drives up recruitment fees. Additionally, he pointed out that external challenges, such as the pandemic and the depreciation of the Yen, complicate efforts to secure workers for Japan. Consequently, Taiwan and Australia are emerging as more popular destinations for Vietnamese migrant workers.
The final presenter, Mr. Sokchar Mom, Executive Director of Legal Support for Children and Women highlighted the insufficient regulation of recruitment fees in Cambodia. He explained that workers are often charged exorbitant fees to migrate, which pushes many into debt. In response, the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training has initiated a policy to reduce fees by 10 % annually starting in 2025. However, Mr. Mom expressed concerns about the lack of consultation in the policy-making process. To alleviate the financial burden on migrants, he proposed an employer-pay model, where employers in destination countries shoulder the costs of migration.
In the open discussion that ensued, presenters and participants exchanged views and opinions. Key discussion points included: insights from the experiences of the Philippines and Thailand, where the zero-recruitment fee model has been implemented; the importance of providing a detailed breakdown to migrants of recruitment fees charged; and the potential for multinational initiatives to prevent a “race to the bottom” among countries of origin.
Click here to read the Proceedings.
Click here to watch the video of the panel discussion.
