On July 31, a hearing was held by the Fukuoka Prefecture Minimum Wage Council to decide on the increase of Fukuoka’s minimum wage, set at 992 yen per hour. A 24-year-old Burmese trainee working in elder care presented her views, marking what is believed to be the first time a trainee’s perspective was included nationwide.
She began working at a senior care facility in Kitakyushu in June 2023. During her statement, she explained that her wages have never been above the minimum wage, while her Japanese colleagues earn more. She expressed that if the minimum wage were raised to 1,500 yen, she could spend more on herself and invest in her education for the future.
After her statement, she commented, “Trainees have low wages and carry debts, leaving little room in their lives. If I could pursue things I love, I would also work harder. I hope the minimum wage will be raised.”
Hiromi Suenaga, chair of the Union Kitakyushu which supported the trainee, mentioned, “Trainees can’t freely change workplaces, so they can’t speak up about wages or conditions. The fact that her voice was heard is significant, but more importantly, we must change the exploitative structure.”
by MagazineKey4532