Shimanuki, Stacy
Email Address
ORCID
Disciplines
Search Results
Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
Publication The Financial and Economic Inclusion of Migrant Workers in Japan: A Case Study of the Technical Intern Training Program in Hokkaido(2022-01-01) Shimanuki, StacyAlthough the overall situation of migrant workers (TITPs) in Japan is relatively better than their counterparts in other regions of Asia due to higher regulation of migration, salary, and working conditions, there are still many issues to be addressed. The three main pain points of unstable salary, high debt, and lack of job standardization or mobility are largely due to a misleading history and structure of the TITP system in the first place, as well as an unnecessary and often abusive multi-level broker system. To resolve these root issues, this paper advocates for an eradication of secondary brokers, as well as an overhaul of most of the TITP system to the newly-created and much more stable Special Visa system, which would require the Japanese public to first learn to accept and embrace migrant workers as a necessary addition to Japanese society — not to mention, as fellow human beings with families to provide for and life dreams to pursue.Publication Financial Inclusion of Migrant Workers in Singapore(2021-01-01) Shimanuki, StacySingapore is one of the largest hosting countries of migrant workers in the world, with up to 1.4 million migrant workers, mainly hailing from Southeast Asian countries with less opportunities for high-paying employment like the Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, and Indonesia. This population, and the remittances they send, are crucial to the economies of both the host country and the home country, not to mention the individual families that rely on the steady incomes earned abroad and sent home. Historically, migrant workers (MWs) have very little access to financial services; the majority are unbanked and rely on black market providers which specifically target migrants for short-term loans and remittances. However, cross-border money transfer is an intricate, heavily-regulated industry with many actors, and recently is gaining much attention given the increasing financial transactions each year and subsequent profit opportunity for any who can facilitate those transactions. This research seeks to examine the current status, barriers, and potential solutions of the financial inclusion of migrant workers in Singapore, in the context of migrant workers throughout Asia. First, what is the extent of MWs’ financial inclusion or lack thereof, and what measurable impact does that have on their lives in terms of economic situation and social mobility? Second, who are the actors trying to increase their financial inclusion, what challenges are they facing (excessive regulation, low uptake due to lack of awareness or trust, etc.), and how can those barriers be eased?