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Rapport

28 Oct 2022

Auteur:
Solidarity Network with Migrants Japan

Japan: NGO publishes new report on migrant women's pregnancy and maternity, revealing 71% of surveyed technical trainees experience constraints

"「移民女性の妊娠・出産調査報告書」発行のお知らせ" 28 October 2022

[ Japanese-to-English translation: Business & Human Rights Resource Centre ]

The Solidarity Network with Migrants Japan (SMJ) conducted a "Survey on Pregnancy, Maternity, and Childcare of Migrant Women" from May to June 2021.
[...]

Survey background and overview
・ In recent years, the number of inquiries regarding the pregnancy and maternity of migrant women has been increasing, and the SMJ has requested information from supporters and support groups.
・ In May and June 2021, we collected 58 cases of pregnancy and maternity of migrant women with the status of residence listed in Appendix 1 and those without the status of residence.
・ Nationalities of women: 18 Vietnamese, 7 Nepali, and others less than 5 cases
・ Status of residence of women: 13 technical traineeships, 12 designated activities, 14 no status of residence, 7 work-related status, 12 other

Challenges for technical trainees
・ 71% of the respondents had constraints on pregnancy and childbirth. The constraints were imposed by supervising organisations, sending organisations, and receiving organisations. In addition to explicit constraints (originally prohibited) in contracts and other documents, there was also pressure to return home or have an abortion in the event of pregnancy, and exclusion from the workplace.

・ Extremely difficult to raise children in Japan: Challenges include systems not designed to balance raising children and working, such as living in dormitories, low wages, living expenses during maternity leave; non-recognition of the stable status of residency for children.
・ Inadequate response by authorities: A notice has been issued regarding the prohibition of unfair treatment due to pregnancy and childbirth (Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare, etc.), but it has not been effective. Lack of a system of remedy and protection at the Organization for Technical Intern Training.

Challenges for women without residency status
・ Limitation on access to programs such as health insurance
・ Limitation on access to hospitals and medical systems
-There is a situation in which systems (such as inpatient midwifery) that are originally available regardless of the status of residence can only be used after negotiation by support groups

-Refusal of medical treatment due to lack of insurance

・ Residency status for children: If the parents do not have residency status, their children will not be granted residency status either.
・ Vulnerability of single women: Since they are excluded from systems, they have to rely on people around them, triggering domestic violence and sexual violence.

Challenges for women with work-related residency status
・ Recommendation or coercion to resign due to pregnancy or childbirth
・ Children's status of residence is unstable: If the parent has residency status such as "Designated Activities" (EPA) or "Designated Technical Skills 1", the child will not be granted a stable status. Also, depending on the period of stay, health insurance may not be available.
・ Difficulty in balancing work and childcare

Summary
・ Barriers exist for migrant women's pregnancy and maternity with different backgrounds
・ Barriers in legal systems are largely influenced by the type and availability of residency status
・ There is also tangible and intangible discrimination in the workplace, and oppression in social relationships such as fathers of children and communities
・ Overall, there is no environment in which migrant women can safely become pregnant and give birth, and their reproductive rights are not guaranteed