Consultation desks & support organisations for labour issues
Seeking advice and support from local governments, volunteer organisations, and labour unions is your right. It's illegal for a company to mistreat or dismiss you because you sought help for work issues. If your rights are not being recognised at work or if you have questions about your work conditions, please consult a support organisation listed below.
Before seeking advice, it's advisable to check your Status of Residence (zairyū shikaku) and passport, as possible solutions may vary. You don't have to give up even if you don't have a Status of Residence. If you do not know which organisation to consult or would like an interpreter, please contact OPIEF.
OPIEF (Prefectural International Exchange Foundation)
The prefectural (government) support center for migrants can help you decide which organisation to consult for your situation and also provide interpreters. Multilingual consultations are available by phone or email.
Languages: 日本語, English, 中文, Português, Tiếng Việt, Tagalog, 한국어, Bahasa Indonesia, ภาษาไทย, नेपाली, Español, and more.
-
0120-007-173 (Easy Japanese)
-
Monday to Saturday: 9:00-17:00
HelloWork Okayama (Employment Service Office)
A government institution (MHLW). Offers employment consultations and assistance with applying for unemployment insurance benefits in multiple languages for migrants at offices in Okayama, Kurashiki, and Soja.
Languages: Easy Japanese, English, Português
-
086-241-3701 (Easy Japanese)
-
Monday to Friday: 8:30-17:15
Okayama Labour Standards Inspection Office
A government institution (MHLW). Offers consultations for migrants regarding various labour issues, such as unpaid wages or sudden dismissals, in multiple languages via phone or in person at their Okayama office.
Languages: Easy Japanese
-
086-283-4540 (Easy Japanese)
-
Monday to Friday: 8:30-17:15
Labour Bureau Foreign Workers Consultation Corner
A government institution (MHLW). Offers multilingual phone consultations about labour issues, including power harassment, sexual harassment, maternity harassment, and childcare/nursing care leaves.
Languages: Easy Japanese, English, 中文, Tiếng Việt
-
086-201-1651 (Easy Japanese)
-
Monday to Friday: 9:00-16:30
An independent labour union in Fukuyama, Hiroshima. Fukuyama Union Tanpopo provides consultation and advocacy for all workers, including migrant workers, facing unfair labour conditions. Consultation topics include workplace harassment (including maternity harassment), human relations, wanting to change your workplace, and industrial accidents. They also welcome workers who have lost their Status of Residence (including persons who were dismissed or not recognised as 'workers' under the law).
To contact the union, call or message them on Facebook if you're in Okayama, and they'll arrange an online video or in-person meeting. For emergencies requiring escape from a dangerous situation, the union has shelters in Fukuyama. Facebook Messenger languages: Japanese, Vietnamese, Chinese, Cambodia, Bahasa Indonesia
[Free Consultations, Strict Confidentiality] Anything you talk about will be kept secret. You can safely discuss any work-related problems.
-
084-928-5055 (Easy Japanese) / Urgent Consultation: 090-2860-4737 (Muto)
-
Everyday / Open all year around: 10:00-18:00
-
Email: fukuyama-u-t@mx71.tiki.ne.jp
Okayama Labour Union (Okayama kenrō kaigi)
A labour union in Okayama. Offers workers consultation concerning any aspect of their daily lives and troubles at work. All workers are welcome, including migrants without status (i.e. overstay).
Languages: 日本語, Easy Japanese, or interpreter
-
086-221-0133 (Easy Japanese)
-
Okayama Workers Welfare Center 3F 5-6 Kasugacho, Kita Ward, Okayama
-
Email: okakenro@mx1.tiki.ne.jp
-
X: @okakenro
What is a union?
Unions are independent* organisations for workers. They work to protect the rights of workers, improve working conditions and the workplace environment. *Unions are independent from governments, companies, kanri dantai, kyōdō kumiai, etc.
If you have any issues at work, such as not feeling safe, power harassment, sexual harassment, not being paid for overtime, unions can negotiate with your company on your behalf.
Regardless of nationality or immigration status, all workers have the right to consult, join, and seek help from labour unions. The law prohibits companies to threaten, dismiss, or treat you unfairly because you have joined a union.
A law firm that provides legal consultations for migrants, including those without status. Topics cover debt, work, accidents, divorce, and status/visa issues. Consultation fee: ¥5,500/40 mins. Reserve by phone or online.
Languages: 日本語, Easy Japanese, English or an interpreter for other languages
-
086-221-0133 (Easy Japanese)
-
Okayama Workers Welfare Center 2F 5-6 Kasugacho, Kita Ward, Okayama
-
Monday to Friday: 9:00-18:00