Cambodians have access to Japanese training through the likes of induction programs when working in one of the increasing number of Japanese firms in Cambodia or through programs such as the Technical Intern Training Program for foreigners.

What is the Technical Intern Training Program (TITP) for foreigners?

It’s been talked about in the papers a lot recently,but in actuality the Technical Intern Training Program(TITP) is not new. It was enacted in 1993 as a system aimed at supporting “human resource development”, promoting skill transfer to developing regions, resulting in economic development. The status of residence “Technical Intern Training” was created under the revision of Immigration Control Act in 2009, and the new law on TITP enforced in 2017. The new law emphasized three points; proper implementation of technical internships, protection of interns, and the expansion of the system, and the system to govern the approval process. Currently, students are allowed to stay for up to 5 years. Technical internships are targeted at 80 occupational fields – including agriculture, fishery, construction, etc. with a total of 142 different

jobs available (as of 16th November 2018). Increasing yearly, in June 2017, there were about 250,000 TITP interns. By nationality, the number of

Vietnamese is the largest group, at about 100,000,followed by about 80,000 Chinese and about 25,000 Filipinos. Cambodians make up 5,704, still not many compared to other countries, but they’ve been noticed for their serious work attitudes and good manners.

Sending Organization and Approval Process of TITP

How do TITP interns get to Japan?

Foreign technical intern trainees usually use sending organizations before coming to Japan, usually receiving training and Japanese lessons. The sending organizations also work with receiving organizations and supervising organizations, and provide follow-up services. Interns can be accepted in 2 ways – one is acceptance managed by individual enterprise, and the other one is acceptance supervised by organization. The receiving side must be certifi ed by providing an appropriate skills training course. Over the years, interns work up levels of technical training – to proceed to the upper levels, they must pass a test on their technical skills. In July 2017 Cambodia and Japan negotiated arrangements for the smooth and proper implementation of TITP internships, and agreed on the Memorandum of Cooperation on the Technical Intern Training Program. As part of this a list of offi cial dispatch agencies from Cambodia was agreed upon. The agreement follows one with Vietnam – now there are 10 countries with agreements in total.

Environment surrounding technical intern trainees

Supporting Cambodian Technical Intern Trainees in Japan

Interview: Mr. Phengrithy, the   rst “Labor and Vocational Counselor”

More and more Cambodians stay in Japan through the Technical Intern Training Program (TITP); the government of Cambodia recently appointed Mr. TAING Phengrithy as the fi rst “Labor and Vocational Counselor” at the Embassy of Cambodia in Japan to support Cambodian trainees.

As of September 2018, about 6,000 of Cambodian technical intern trainees are in Japan. Major industries that Cambodian trainees are despatched in are agriculture (32%), construction(22%) and garment/textile (21%). While the number of Cambodian trainees has increased,

various problems have occurred. The program itself is not perfect and has a lot of things to improve. Mr. TAING Phengrithy works as a counselor to support Cambodian trainees in many aspects at The Royal Embassy of Cambodia in Japan since January 2018. Among many tasks, his main responsibilities are: protecting trainees’ rights and expanding the labor market for Cambodian trainees. Since his fi rst day, he has been

visiting trainees to monitor their life and work conditions and also share information on laws and the program. “They all look happy and comfortable when I visit them. I think they are lonely. I tell them to contact me via phone or Facebook when they are sick or face any problems.” said Mr. Phengrithy.

The main problems Cambodian trainees experience are related to workplace and payment. It is rare but a few trainees went missing. Mr. Phengrithy encourages all trainees to openly communicate with him to understand their situations and to consult with the public institutions on any issues. He also hopes that the Japanese government closely monitors and gives guidance to the companies that accept foreign trainees.

Mr. Phengrithy sends message to all Cambodians who work hard in Japan. “I believe it is very important to be connected and have a network of people when living abroad. Besides studying or working, it is necessary to actively join social activities and meet great people including Japanese. I hope you all acquire professional skills to shine in Cambodia in the future.”

Profile

Mr. TAING Phengrithy

Born in Kampong Thom Province in 1986. Started studying Japanese language in Osaka in 2005. Studied at the College of Business Administration, Yokohama National University in 2006-2010. Joined Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training in 2010.