KYOTO CITY INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION

Ⅱ Starting a New Life

4. Employment

4-1 Looking for Full-time and Part-time Work

In Japan, it is forbidden to discriminate against a person’s nationality or religion in respect to pay or working hours, etc. Foreign workers employed in companies and factories are entitled to the same rights as Japanese workers. It is important for a person to know and understand laws and systems related to work.

◆To be employed in Japan

You must have a resident status (zairyu shikaku) which allows you to work. The content of the work and activities associated with that work must fall within the limitations of that permit.

◆Looking for a job in Japan

You can use public employment security offices (kokyo shokugyo antei sho) which are administered by the government (these services are free), use a private employment agency, or use a group which is certified by the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry (both free services and pay services are available).

◆Public Employment Security Offices (Kokyo Shokugyo Antei Sho)

Public Employment Security Offices are offices administered by the government that offer consultation on and introductions to employment. Public Employment Security Offices are now connected by a computer system, so job vacancy data from around the country can be obtained on the spot and job introductions made.

If you can understand Japanese, please use the nearest Public Employment Security Office.

For those who cannot understand Japanese, there are ‘Foreigner’s Employment Service Corners’ (gaikokujin koyoservice corners) which provide information on job vacancies and job introductions for foreign students and foreigners who have special skills.

4-2 Permission to Engage in an Activity Other than that Permitted under

the Status of Residence Previously Granted

Foreigners who have resident status as a College Student (ryuugaku) or Pre-college Student (shuugaku) cannot have part-time jobs without first receiving a work permit. (Shikaku-gai Katsudo).To obtain an application for a work permit, contact the international student office at your university or school, or the Immigration Bureau.

Osaka Immigration Bureau, Kyoto Branch Office (752-5997

4-3 Japan’s Labor Standards Law

The Labor Standards Law exists to protect the rights of workers in Japan. Foreign workers hold the same rights as their Japanese counterparts. Consult the places below if you have any work-related problems, such as unpaid wages, groundless dismissal, or on-the-job-injury, or if you have any questions or concerns about your rights.

Kyoto Labor Bureau, Labor Standards Department, Inspection Division, Foreign Worker Advisory Corner (241-3214

Location: 2^nd Fl., Kyoto Labor Bureau, 451 Kinbuki-cho, Oike Agaru, Ryogaemachi-dori, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto City

Consultation Hours: Monday through Friday, 9:00 to 4:00 PM (closed 12:00 to 1:00)

＊English language interpretation is available on Tuesday and Thursday.

◆Employment contracts

An employment contract is a contract stating the working conditions between each employee and their employer. The employer must state in writing working conditions such as pay and working hours, etc. of the employee and give this to him/her. Trouble can occur when only a verbal contract is made since there is no evidence of pay terms. It is therefore important to obtain a written contract with as many details as possible. If the contract is written in Japanese, have it translated into your native language and check the contents.

◆Details which must be stated in an employment contract
(1) The term of the working contract

(2) Place of work and work content

(1) Work starting time and finishing time, the possibility of work outside the specified work hours, rest time, holidays, vacations, etc.

(2) Pay terms, how it is calculated and method of payment, when it is to be paid, information about pay increases

(3) Details about retirement

If a company has fixed working regulations ask to see its “Work Regulations” (shugyo kisoku) and check the contents.

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