From 21-22 May, 2012, Mrs. Chantana Boon-ard, Minister Counsellor (Labour Affairs) and Mrs. Malee Wada, assistant official for oversea employment promotion, visited employers and Thai trainees at IM Japan’s recipient firms in Kumamoto prefecture, which is located on Kyushu Island, 1,180 kilometers south of Tokyo. The objectives of their visit were to promote and expand labour market for Thai trainees in Japan; visit Thai trainees, witness their training; give trainees advice on the training; boost trainees’ morale; and meet with executives of IM Kyushu office to discuss possibilities of expanding a market for Thai trainees in Kyushu region.
They met with employers of three IM Japan’s recipient firms as well as 24 Thai trainees. Details of their visit are summarized as follows:
1) On May 21, 2012, they met with executives of one IM Japan’s recipient firm and 14 Thai trainees.
1.1) Yamaha Kumamoto Products Co., Ltd. is a huge and high-tech company that produces motors for yachts. After being briefed by the company’s executives about its business and the admission of Thai trainees, the Thai officials learned that the company headquarter in Shizuoka prefecture began accepting Thai trainees six years ago. Having satisfied with the performance of Thai trainees, its subsidiary firm in Kumamoto prefecture therefore began receiving Thai trainees. Currently, there are 14 Thai trainees at the company while eight more Thai trainees will be accepted in August. The company also recommends that Thai trainees who complete their training course can work as a technician chief at Yamaha Motor in Thailand. The Thai officials were then taken to look around factories and the training of Thai trainees. The trainees train to assemble motors, a job that requires high-level expertise and skill. They work in the same standard as Japanese workers. Meeting with the Thai trainees after their work, the Thai officials gave them advice and boosted their morale while learning that the trainees were happy and lived in good living condition. The minister counsellor told them to use their spare time to play sport and practice their Japanese.
2) On Tuesday 22 May 2012, the Thai officials visited executives of another IM Japan’s recipient firm and 10 Thai trainees.
2.1) Kobayashi Seisakucho Co.,Ltd. produces piston rods of Honda motors. Kobayashi Corporation (Thailand) Co.,Ltd is its subsidiary firms in Thailand which is located at Hi-tech Industrial Estate in Ayutthaya province. The company has a policy to receive Thai trainees for training in Japan and send them to work at its subsidiary firms in Thailand after they complete their training. The company accepts two graduated trainees to work at its subsidiary firms in Thailand. The Thai officials had an opportunity to witness the training of Thai trainees who could perform their tasks skillfully. The factory manager said there are six Thai workers under his supervision. The Thai officials learned that the Thai trainees got along very well and they were liked and got full support from the employer.
2.2) Araki Bankin Co.,Ltd. produces huge air ducts for buildings. Thai trainees are trained to weld air ducts and to extrude metal. It has already accepted three batches of Thai trainees. Currently, there are four Thai trainees at the company, two of who almost complete their training. It will accept two more Thai trainees to replace the outgoing ones. The employer said Thai trainees were skilled, determined, generous, and friendly with their colleagues and caused no problem at the company. After inspecting their training, the Thai officials learned that Thai trainees could perform all tasks at the factory skillfully and help train new Japanese workers. The employer impresses with the Thai trainees, which is the reason he continues to accept them for training at the company.
3) The minister counsellor told executives of all the firms that Office of Labour Affairs in Japan has duties to take care of Thai trainees; and get first-hand information on Thai trainees from all employers. She also tanked all the employers for accepting Thai trainees to train at their companies and looking after them. When meeting with Thai trainees, she told them to work hard for their respective company, and not to cause any trouble. The Thai trainees were also told to phone Office of Labour Affairs in Japan anytime if they have any problem. The Thai officials also give the trainees newspaper and dried food to boost their morale.
