DOLE sets rules on training for care workers in Japan
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has set the guidelines for accepting Filipino care workers for the Technical Intern Training program in Japan.
Department Order No. 188-B issued by Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III also spells out the qualifications of applicants eligible under the Organization for Technical Intern Training Program of Japan in relation to the Technical Intern Training (TIT).
For care worker job category, those who will be accepted as care worker intern can be engaged in duties such as providing services under the Child Welfare law; law on Comprehensive Support for the Daily Lives and Social Lives of Persons with Disabilities; Elderly and Long-Term Care Insurance law; Public Assistance law; and other services, such as for community welfare center, work accident special nursing home business, hospitals, and clinics.
The trainee must be at least 18 years old, must have at least one (1) year work experience in the ‘Care Worker’ industry or in similar professions, whether abroad or locally, and must be a first-time participant of the program.
Should an applicant lack related work experience, he or she must have a Caregiving NC II Certification from TESDA – Accredited training center or a 4-year Bachelor’s Degree in healthcare related course provided that they submit authenticated copies of diploma and transcript of records.
The key requirements for the internship training also include passing the N4 Level of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) or its practical test equivalence; a score of 350 or more in the E-F Level test or 400 or more in the A-D test of the J Test (Test of Practical Japanese) implemented by the Japan Language Examination Association; and passing at least level 4 of the Japanese Language NAT-TEST.
Furthermore, an intern can be qualified for the 2nd year of the training if he/she completes either passing N3 Level of the JLPT; scoring 400 or more in the A-D test of the J. Test, or passing at least level 3 of the Japanese Language NAT-TEST within the 1st year of training in Japan.
Trainee care workers who failed to pass the N3 level within one year of the training will be disqualified to complete the program and will be repatriated back to the Philippines in accordance with Japanese regulations.
On the other hand, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration shall carry out the accreditation of supervising/implementing organizations to implement the TIT for the care worker job category.
On top of the provisions listed in Section V of Department Order No. 188 which sets the requirements for accreditation of supervising/implementing organizations, the number of trainees must not exceed the number set according to the total number of full-time care workers at each facility; the implementing organization must have been in operation for at least 3 years and submit their Company Registration as proof; and evidence that the organization is categorized in any of the types of facilities listed in the order. Home-visit long-term care services are not eligible for the said program.
As determined by the Organization for Technical Intern Training (OTIT), only excellent supervising organizations are eligible to supervise intern training for the 4th and 5th year of the program of the workers.
Meanwhile, the trainee is eligible for a 1-month mandatory vacation in the Philippines before he/she can proceed with his 4th year of training in Japan.