The case of passport confiscation by an employer
As it was reported in early November, a Filipino woman in her thirties (referred to as Ms. A) who worked at the Advanceconsul Immigration Lawyer Office (representative: Mr. Takahiro Komine) in Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture, was taken away her passport, graduation certificate, and transcript by the company. Even if she asked for a return, the company rejected.
Ms. A came to consult with us after seeing on Facebook the media coverage of the press conference that POSSE held in June 2019 about the lawsuit against the Japanese language school.
For foreign workers, passports are literally the second most important thing after life, without which they would not be able to change jobs or leave Japan. It is believed that this company kept the passport with the intention of preventing her from finding a new job from the beginning.
Such serious human rights violations are widespread in Japan.
"Contract regarding passport supervision" that Ms. A actually signed with the company.
On January 16, 2020, we filed a lawsuit at the Yokohama District Court seeking the return of passports and payment of unpaid wages.
Please see the crowdfunding site on the right for details.
We collect court costs by crowdfunding. The Philipino worker whose passports has been taken away cannot even get a new job. We appreciate your understanding and support.
● News Coverage (in Japanese)
2019/11/4
Tokyo Shimbun: Passport pick-up for foreign employees Yokohama administrative scrivener refuses to return
https://www.tokyo-np.co.jp/s/article/2019110401002172.html
2019/11/5
Tokyo Shimbun: Foreign passport managed at work "Unfair contract" that prevents returning to Japan and changing jobs Yokohama administrative scrivener office
https://www.tokyo-np.co.jp/article/national/list/201911/CK2019110502000104.html