COMPLETION REPORT
Forms of Social Support for Filipino Workers in Japan: Implication to Migrant Labor
Policy and Practices
Veronica Esposo Ramirez
Associate Professor
Center for Research and Communication
University of Asia and the Pacific
The rapid economic development of Japan between the 1970s and 1980s attracted millions of migrant
workers from third world countries. On the other hand, the dwindling and aging Japanese populationnecessitates migrant labor. These are the reasons why the Japan Social Security services for workers had
to be restructured.
This study examined the labor policies and practices of Social Security services available to Filipinos inJapan. It analyzed how this can enhance the living and work conditions of Filipino workers in Japan, atthe same time benefit Japan as a migrant labor receiving country.
Descriptive research methods of survey, interview and document analysis were employed. Results
were verified and data compared through triangulation.
This study found that there are Social Security services that are low in access and should be given
more attention through awareness campaign, online dissemination and orientation in Filipino language.
This includes (a) Social Welfare: Housing assistance, Support to the balance between work and family
life, In-house child-care facilities, Short-time work options, Minimum living expense, Flexible working
styles; (b) Employment security: Employment Counseling, and Career development promotion subsidy;(c) Employees Insurance: Pharmaceutical and Medical devices; and (d) Policies on radioactive materials,
poison and contaminants in food.
Social Security system enhances the living and work conditions of Filipino workers and enables them tosave and invest the money that otherwise would be spent for health and other necessities. Providing
effective Social Security to migrant workers also benefits Japan as a migrant worker receiving country.
Japan’s strong Social Security system that can be availed by registered migrant workers, including
Filipinos, is a model to other Asian countries that receive migrant workers because it responds to theneeds of workers, enhance their living and work conditions at the same time, contribute to the socioeconomic development of Japan by filling in the need for laborers in different industries.
Since not all Filipinos in Japan are aware of how they can avail of the Social Security services, it isrecommended that information dissemination be done electronically, through the community or theirworkplace, in both English and Filipino. The Japan-Philippines 2017 Agreement can be expanded toinclude Social Security and protection of low-skilled workers such as domestic workers and Filipino
residents who are not working because of family duties and age. Japan government can allow conversionof the visa of TITP trainees to Residence Status of Specified Skilled Workers and as such, will haveSocial Security benefits which is a way of motivating them to work with efficiency and excellence. Aprogram can be initiated by the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) to legalize the status of theproductive workers who are undocumented or irregular Filipinos in Japan so as to add to the labor sectorof Japan and secure the employment of Filipinos who are already in Japan. Finally, monitoring of theavailment of Social Security can be undertaken by the two governments to make sure that the services
are implemented by the designated government agencies.

Publication of the Results of Research Project:
Verbal Presentation (Date, Venue, Name of Conference, Title of Presentation, Presenter, etc.)
For submission to Asia Future Conference
Building a Future Asia
August 31, 2021
Taipei, Taiwan
https://www.facebook.com/asiafutureconference/
Thesis (Name of Journal and its Date, Title and Author of Thesis, etc.)
Research Gate. June 7, 2020.
Ramirez, V. Forms of Social Security services for Filipino workers in Japan: Implications to migrantlabor policy and practices.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/341988070_Forms_of_Social_Security_services_for_Filipino_workers_in_Japan_Implications_to_migrant_labor_policy_and_practices
Book (Publisher and Date of the Book, Title and Author of the Book, etc.)