Negros Occidental is looking at the possibility of sending more manpower to Toyama Prefecture in Japan that is facing a shortage of workers, Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said Monday, June 3.
Lacson, who just returned from an official visit to Japan, said he also met with the Philippine Embassy labor attaché in Tokyo to get guidance on how to send Negrenses to Toyama Prefecture.
The jobs available are in agriculture and caregiving but Negrenses who go to Japan have to learn the Japanese language, Lacson said.
The governor said he also met with Negros Occidental provincial government scholars in Tokyo to ask them how they are doing and all of them were happy.
They are working and are now able to send regular help to their families, he said.
They are trying their best to pass the higher level Japanese language tests so they can also pursue jobs they really want, he said.
The verdict from the visit is the provincial government should continue its scholarship program that allows Negrenses to go to Japan, Lacson said.
The Philippines now has competitors for jobs in Japan from Sri Lanka and Vietnam, although the feedback about Negrense workers is very positive, he said.*