• International conference on construction engineering and project management
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• 2024.07a
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• pp.1204-1211
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• 2024

This study focuses on a scheme for accepting migrant workers at Japanese construction sites and its impact on the industry. Recently, a severe shortage in the construction workforce has made the industry accept migrant workers through "Technical Intern Training (TIT)" program and "Specified Skilled Worker (SSW)" system in Japan. A new status of residence, SSW has been created to accept foreign nationals who work in jobs that require considerable knowledge of or experience in specified industry fields, and construction is one of them. However, many SSWs had already been working in Japan as TIT trainees, implying that the TIT program was the practical pathway to becoming a SSW. Therefore, this study aims to comprehensively understand the operational realities of the Japanese TIT program in construction companies. Data were collected using a literature survey and semi-structured interviews. The literature survey was a macro perspective, mainly about analyzing the statistical data on the Japanese government, with the status of residence, profession, and nationality, to ensure the transition and full picture of migrant workers in Japan. By contrast, interview surveys focused on micro situations such as the challenges faced by companies that accept migrant workers. This study showed that workforce shortages had lasted for more than 30 years and were still a chronic issue and that migrant workers were indispensable in the construction industry.

• The Korean Journal of Applied Statistics
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• v.27 no.7
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• pp.1243-1255
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• 2014

This study is aimed at developing an index and indicator in the light of social factors by analyzing the basic materials on Korean working conditions survey to make it possible to grasp various working environment factors consequent on business type and to judge the industrial safety & health policy of the related area. For the purpose of developing an index, this study was conducted by benchmarking the OECD-suggested index development guidelines and overseas cases of index development. This study suggested indexes related to health by benchmarking OECD's press-state-response model. The press-state health-related indexes specified in Korean working condtions survey were found to consist of physical risk environment, working hours, business environment, and social environment, and its consequent 'state' items were comprised of mental health, physical health, absence from work due to health problems and work satisfaction as health-related items. As a result, it was found that the 'press-state index' for wage worker, regular employee, manager, clerks, expert & related personnel involved, and workers aged under 50 was relatively good; in contrast, the 'press-state index' for people aged over 50, owner-operator, daily job, skilled position in agriculture & fisheries, simple labor service, and apparatus & machines assembly worker was found to be relatively vulnerable.