Due to the spread of COVID-19, about 100 workers who were dispatched to a Sharp Corp. factory in the town of Taki, Mie Prefecture, lost their jobs earlier this month. Around 80% of them were Philippine nationals.

The number of foreign workers in Japan who have been fired or furloughed is growing. Such workers tend to be in a weaker position, and their families are often affected as well.

“My daughter and son lost their jobs at the same time, and we are at loss as to what to do next,” said Raquel Garcia, 45, who worked at the Mie factory for nine years. “I wanted to transfer money to my children in the Philippines,” she added, dejectedly.