The Japanese government passed a bill to recruit blue-collar workers on December 8.

The Japanese government passed this bill in order to solve its severe shortage of workers. Before the enactment of this bill, Myanmar had sent workers to Japan.

Japan has offered to recruit more Myanmar workers for the manufacturing and farming industries. In April, Myanmar and Japan signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to send technical trainees.

Win Shein, Director-General of Department of Labour said: “Japan has offered Myanmar to recruit Myanmar workers for elderly care centers. We are working to send workers to Japan. Employment agencies are allowed to submit the demand letter.”

Japan plans to recruit more than 300,000 foreign workers for construction, food manufacturing, service, nursing and other sectors, within five years.

Myanmar workers who want to work in Japan must pass Japanese language N4 level.