Bad training

Tens of thousands of Chinese workers in Japan are treated unfairly and only employment brokers and companies benefit by training programs to bring them there, a new report charged Tuesday.

In a report called "Throwaway Labour: The Exploitation of Chinese Trainees in Japan," the Hong Kong-based China Labour Bulletin said Chinese workers on "trainee" programs in Japan rarely see benefit from migratory work and are often overworked and underpaid.

"Trainees have to pay excessive fees and commissions just to get the job and, once in Japan, they are often forced to work long hours for low pay in frequently hazardous conditions. Their freedom of movement and association are severely constrained and the accommodation and food provided by their employer is often substandard," the group says. "Many have their wages deducted at source and kept in a bank account controlled by their employer. Moreover, trainees are often forced to lie to Japanese labour inspectors about their wage levels and working conditions. Chinese trainees in Japan usually put up with such conditions because they risk retaliation from their employer and their placement company if they file a complaint."

The CLB urged Japan to reform its Chinese worker training program.