Abdul-Aziz, A-R (2001) Clandestine foreign site operatives in Japan: A focus on Malaysians. Journal of Construction Procurement, 7(1), pp. 51-72. ISSN 1358-9180
Abstract
This paper puts to the test the general observations made on foreign construction workers in Japan. Using Malaysian nationals as the sample population, it challenges some of these observations. Foreign site operatives are not made to put up with rampant severe labour violations and poor living conditions as suggested by some writers. For sure, labour abuses do take place - wage discrimination, denial of full or partial wages being the most common. To a degree Japan's construction industry has benefited from the infusion of foreign labour, most notably the safeguard against fluctuations in labour demand and rejuvenation of the workforce. Concurrently, labour reforms in the industry have taken place unhindered. On a wider note there has been minimal deleterious impact on Japan's social fabric as voluntary rotation averts the risk of permanent settlers while the return of the sick and the aged exerts no strain on Japan's public medical services.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | clandestine employment, international labour migration, Japan, Malaysia, site operatives |
| Index terms: | Malaysia, employment, migration, construction industry, construction worker, wages, Japan, population, discrimination, living condition, foreign labour, site operative, violation |
| Subjects: | business, management, industry analysis, regulatory law, sociology, practitioner, Geography, professional ethics, demography, business economics |
| Topics: | Research Practice, Roles and Professions, Urban Studies, Human Resources, International Construction, Geographical Context, Legal Issues |
| Descriptive scope: | 3 PCT |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here