Myanmar workers sheltered by union over alleged abuse in Hokkaido

Six Myanmar nationals working on a farm in Hokkaido, Japan, have been provided shelter by a local labor union after allegedly experiencing abuse and sexual harassment from farm staff, the union reported on Friday. The six individuals, ranging in age from their 30s to younger adults, were employed at the farm in Kyogoku, a town near Sapporo, as part of Japan's skilled worker program to address the country's labor shortage.

According to the Sapporo General Union, the workers began their jobs at the farm between May and July. Allegations of abuse include being struck on the head with hand tools or farm equipment when staff became frustrated by the workers' inability to understand Japanese. The Myanmar workers also reported instances of unwanted touching, including on their chests, as well as daily verbal abuse and threats of deportation.

The workers have decided to pursue a criminal complaint regarding some of the alleged offenses and have provided information to the Sapporo regional immigration bureau for an investigation into the case, as reported by the union. One of the Myanmar workers, aged in his 20s, expressed his frustration during a press conference held by the union, stating that he came to Japan to work and desired proper instruction.

In 2022, a different agricultural corporation operating a farm at the same location in Kyogoku had its accreditation to accept foreign workers revoked due to alleged human rights violations against interns under Japan's technical intern training program, which predates the skilled worker program.