What is the Specified Skills Council for the Care Field? Do Companies and Registered Support Organizations Have Membership Obligations?

As more companies and registered support organizations advance the utilization of foreign workers in the care field, many may feel uncertain about what the “Specified Skills Council” actually is and whether membership is truly necessary.

The detailed differences in system changes and operational rules can be particularly confusing for field personnel, making accurate understanding essential.

This article provides a comprehensive explanation of the overview of the Specified Skills Council for the care field, its role, and whether there are obligations for membership and cooperation. We will explain this clearly for corporate personnel considering accepting foreign care workers for the first time and for registered support organizations planning to enter the care field.

What is the Specified Skills Council for the Care Field

When employing foreign workers with the “Specified Skills” residence status in the care field, it is necessary to become a member of the “Specified Skills Council for the Care Field.”

The operating entity is the Japan International Corporation of Welfare Services (JICWELS), a public interest incorporated association, which operates the council secretariat under commission from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

What is the Japan International Corporation of Welfare Services

The Japan International Corporation of Welfare Services (JICWELS) is an organization commissioned by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare to handle the acceptance and settlement support of foreign care workers.

As the secretariat for the Specified Skills Council in the care field, this organization is responsible for practical support including verification of application contents from accepting institutions and periodic visits to specified skills foreign workers.

Additionally, it plays an important role in the acceptance program for nurse and certified care worker candidates based on EPA (Economic Partnership Agreement), making it a central entity in the institutional operation of foreign worker acceptance in the care field.

Role of the Council

The main role of the council is to disseminate information and best practices regarding the specified skills foreign worker acceptance system, as well as to promote compliance with related laws and regulations.

Additionally, it collects and analyzes the latest information on changes in employment structure and economic conditions in the care field to respond to needs in the workplace.

Understanding the different realities of labor shortages and acceptance situations in each region, and implementing measures and adjustments to prevent the concentration of workers in major cities based on this information, is also an important function.

It is an organization that operates by sharing challenges and necessary information that arise in the workplace to achieve smooth and appropriate acceptance of specified skills foreign workers.

Council Membership Obligations and Cooperation Obligations

Care providers accepting specified skills foreign workers must join the Specified Skills Council before applying for residence status.

After joining the council, they must obtain a membership certificate before submitting permit applications to the Immigration Services Agency.

Additionally, care facilities that have joined the council have an obligation to provide necessary cooperation for activities such as information sharing and surveys conducted by the council.

These obligations are established to support the proper operation of the system and the smooth implementation of foreign worker acceptance.

Registered Support Organizations Have No Membership Obligation

When employing specified skills foreign workers, care providers have a legal obligation to support foreign workers’ daily life and workplace adaptation.

This support work can be delegated to registered support organizations that are registered with the Immigration Services Agency.

In this case, in the care field, registered support organizations themselves are not subject to Specified Skills Council membership, and council membership is limited to care providers and other entities that actually accept foreign workers.

However, when support work is delegated, registered support organizations also have an obligation to provide necessary cooperation for council surveys and information sharing.

Council Membership Application Procedures

Council membership application procedures are conducted using an online application system, and mail or counter-based procedures are not accepted.

Once the application is completed, the council membership certificate is typically issued within approximately two weeks.

After receiving the membership certificate, the process involves applying for residence status at the Immigration Services Agency.

Please note that no costs such as admission fees or annual membership fees are incurred when joining the council.

Reference: Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare | Acceptance of Specified Skills Foreign Workers in the Care Field
(https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/newpage_000117702.html)

What to Do After Joining the Council

After completing membership in the council, providers are required to appropriately handle procedures and information management as business entities.

From here, we will explain step by step the specific tasks and important points that become necessary after joining.

Registering Information of Accepted Foreign Workers

When newly accepting specified skills foreign workers, it is necessary to register the foreign worker’s information with the council within four months after completing residence status procedures at the regional Immigration Services Agency.

For registration, three documents must be submitted through the online system: “Employment Conditions Document,” “Support Plan,” and “Copy of Residence Card.”

The Employment Conditions Document and Support Plan should be the same documents submitted during the residence application process.

When Accepting Foreign Workers at Unregistered Business Locations or Facility Types

When newly hiring specified skills foreign workers at business locations or facilities not registered with the council, it is first necessary to apply the relevant business location information to the council and receive a reissued membership certificate.

This certificate will clearly specify the newly registered business locations and facility types.

Foreign workers cannot obtain residence permits when the accepting business location is not registered with the council.

When There Are Changes to Registered Information

When changes occur to registered accepting institution information, business location information, or specified skills foreign worker information, it is required to promptly update the information to the latest content on the council application system.

If information is not accurately reflected, there may be disruptions to the issuance of necessary certificates and various procedures.

When the Membership Certificate’s Expiration Date is Approaching

Membership certificates have a validity period set from the date of issuance: one year for initial issuance and four years after renewal.

When the expiration date approaches, renewal procedures can be conducted through the council application system starting four months before the validity period expires.

Failing to complete these renewal procedures will result in an invalid certificate and cause disruptions to foreign worker acceptance, making early response important.

Summary

This article has provided a detailed explanation of the overview of the Specified Skills Council in the care field, membership procedures, and necessary responses after joining. We have summarized important points for smooth acceptance, including the purpose of the system, the role of the council, obligations that care providers must observe, and actual registration procedures.

For those considering the acceptance of foreign care workers, proper procedures and cooperation with the council are essential. When there are unclear points, by always referring to official information and expert advice and preparing with ample time, you will be able to proceed with worker acceptance with confidence.

Expert Commentary

When hearing about a council, many people have concerns such as “Will I need to join a large organization?” or “Will frequent meeting attendance be required after joining?”

While there is indeed a membership obligation for the Specified Skills Council, what accepting providers primarily need to do is maintain constantly updated information registered in the council’s system, such as business location information and foreign employee information.

In the care field, there are occasions when cooperation with council activities is necessary, such as responding to periodic visits, but there is no need to be overly concerned.