Can it be done? If so, How?

[raven52 233]

I am married to my wife who is from Cebu, Philippines. I have a close friend that is very interested in a lady from Cebu, also, but she is in Japan and traveled to Japan, on a "family visa" as she went there to care for her older sister's children. My friend and this lady living in Japan, have become very interested in meeting, and he is planning to travel there in August, to meet her, in Cebu.

But, here is the problem, she signed a contract to work one year and the company took her passport, but she has told them she "has no interest in working".,.,and has not taken ant traing, from the company. She has assked about a "buy out",.,.and just leave back to Cebu, and the company has not given her an answer, but is going to meet with her Monday morning, and discuss the situation.

Any idea's, input from fellow VJ's would certainly be appreciated! I think she has told my friend, she will make 2500.00 dollars a month, and the company she signed the contract with, would take about half.

I cannot believe she would be making money like that in Japan, as an un-skilled, no college degree, lady. This is just my opinion.,.,.,.we have no idea what to expectQ Maybe some of you have an idea????????

[aaron2020 11,651]

Hi,

This is not an immigration matter.

She is under some sort of work contract. It could be valid under Filipino and Japanese laws.

Under Japanese law, her employer may not be legally able to keep her passport. You may want to look into this.

Call the Philippines Embassy in Japan for help. They might even give her a new passport which would allow her to go home.

[TBoneTX 46,067]

*** Thread moved from K-1 Process forum to Off Topic forum -- not a K-1 process issue. ***

[JE57 239]

Good Evening,

I would seriously recommend you discuss this with your wife before asking VJ members. Likely she will have a rather strong opinion on all of this. My thoughts on the subject...

A legitimate company in Japan will not hold a passport of a Filipina. This lady has likely gotten involved with something that is not above board. To my knowledge a person on a

'Family Visa' would have to return to the Philippines to obtain a legitimate work visa for Japan. Further, there would be all sorts of requirements in the Philippines involving POEA processing. That the job pays $2500/month and the 'company' would take that amount seems suspicious as well. If this is a legit company this Women should consider taking the position and your USC friend could visit her in Japan. If this lady asks your USC friend to help her with a 'buy-out' financially I would suggest that this all smells of a scam. A person in this woman's position without access to her passport with someone demanding money for it's return should seek assistance from the Philippine consulate in Japan and should not be required to make any payment. Again, discuss this with your wife. If your friend is really interested in this woman have your wife talk to the 'lady' and get to know her and have her offer an opinion. In my experience Filipinas have a very good sense for knowing when there is something amiss.

[Boiler 46,032]

I cannot believe she would be making money like that in Japan, as an un-skilled, no college degree, lady. This is just my opinion.,.,.,.we have no idea what to expectQ Maybe some of you have an idea????????

There is one obvious job that would fit your description.

[TBoneTX 46,067]

One post edited, with acceptable portion returned to thread as follows:

I know this woman personally, as I met her in Cebu, HOW can you judge someone, and say such a thing!

The answer was potentially sobering, but the question was clearly asked. Because the employment doesn't fit that implied description, then more guessing or detective work is needed to get at the truth.

VJ Moderation

Edited June 28, 2014 by TBoneTX

[Boiler 46,032]

Much more likely there is no 'job', a simple scam to get your friend to buy here out of a non existent contract.

If she needs a replacement passport here is the link: http://tokyo.philembassy.net/consular-section/services/passport/lost-or-mutilated-passport/

By the look of it she would need a police report. So start with that.

[raven52 233]

Boiler,

Thanks for the link, NOW you seem like the "straight shooter" I have always read you to be!

TBoneTx,

No problem with your moderation, BUT we know for a fact, that the job is in a sewing factory, "sweat shop".,.,..I am just trying to help my friend get her out of there. As I owe him a lot, as he took me to Cebu the first time where I met my wonderful wife. Hope you understand, it was just a "fact finding" mission on my part!

No problem, with your moderation!

raven52

[Kajikit 65]

If she really IS working in a sweat shop, she got scammed and she should be able to to the authorities and say 'help, get me out of here!' and at least get back to the Phillipines... she shouldn't need anyone's help to 'buy her out' if she's an innocent victim.

[rlogan 2,036]

Yea, the embassy is the right place to go. They know all the pertinent laws, like whether confiscation of passport is even legal. Once she has that back then she can thumb her nose at the company. She should also have a copy of the contract.

I am generally suspicious when details are lacking. The company has a name. When you say she has no interest in working, I infer that is because she met this guy and decided to make a relationship with him instead? Like overnight she changed her mind? That seems odd. Or was there another reason she decided to not work and they have just been holding her passport in the meanwhile?

[Boiler 46,032]

You hear horror stories involving the Middle East, but this is Japan.

Let us say there is some credence to the story, hard to believe this job is legal, Japan is a regulated environment, so working illegally is no doubt harder than elsewhere but no doubt still occurs. A job where they take your passport and half your income? If true sounds like organised crime.

[Jacque67 7,328]

You hear horror stories involving the Middle East, but this is Japan.

Let us say there is some credence to the story, hard to believe this job is legal, Japan is a regulated environment, so working illegally is no doubt harder than elsewhere but no doubt still occurs. A job where they take your passport and half your income? If true sounds like organised crime.

Yakuza.

Sweatshops in Japan?

[Boiler 46,032]

That was what I was thinking of.

[Darnell 8,479]

if she's 'stuck' in japan - why not meet her in Japan?