The Economic Crisis and Migrant Workers in Japan

The employment situation in Japan continues to deteriorate, and it will take some time before recovery starts. The current economic crisis has had little negative impact on the inflow of migrant workers, both legal and illegal. The declines recorded in recent years are due more to stricter control of illegal migration in Japan and in a few sending countries. The crisis, however, has reduced the earnings of some groups of migrant workers. Illegal workers are more vulnerable because they are not protected from abuse as much as legitimate workers, nor do they usually come out to seek official services offered. More serious international efforts are required to curb the illegal flow of workers. An aggressive labor export policy may work against workers' welfare especially at the time of crisis in host economies.