Working overseas is a dream for many Filipinos seeking better opportunities to support their families and achieve financial stability. One of the most popular destinations for Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) is Japan, a country known for its strong economy and high demand for skilled workers. Among the in-demand professions in Japan is welding, a trade that requires skill, experience, and dedication. But what is it really like to be an OFW welder in Japan, and how much can one expect to earn in this profession?
In this article, we will delve into the world of OFW welders in Japan and shed light on their experiences, challenges, and rewards. We will explore the journey of a typical OFW welder from the Philippines, from the initial application process to the daily work routine and the salary and benefits that come with the job. We will also examine the impact of being an OFW welder on their personal and family lives, as well as the strategies they use to cope with the challenges of living and working in a foreign country.
Disclaimer: The information posted here is based on the personal experiences shared by the OFW in the video below. Please let this post serve as a guide only. If you have specific questions, you may ask the OFW by commenting on their video on their accounts.
Salary, Cost and Expenses of Working as a Welder in Japan
In the video, YouTuber OFW Leo Amoroso discusses the salary of a welder, providing insights on the deductions that come with it. He also shares valuable information about the monthly expenses that a welder may incur, shedding light on the challenges and realities of the profession. If you want to watch the full video, then click on the link below:
To summarize, here are the important points mentioned by the vlogger about the salary of a welder in Japan.
Insights from Monthly Payslip:
- Basic salary of 220,000 yen earned from working 146 hours and 40 minutes
- Regular overtime pay of 83,125 yen earned from working 44 hours and 20 minutes
- Hounai Zangyou (overtime with basic salary rate of 12 hours and 40 minutes) earned Leo 19,000 yen
- Total income for the month: 322,125 yen or around 148,177 pesos
- Basic salary is calculated based on number of working hours completed for the month
- Income may vary depending on workload and exchange rate between yen and pesos
- Gross income before taxes or deductions are taken out
- Challenges of working in Japan as an OFW but Leo remains optimistic and motivated
Leo’s monthly pay slips offer a glimpse into the reality of working in Japan as an OFW. As a former trainee who completed a three-year contract, Leo knows firsthand the challenges that come with working in a foreign country. He currently works as a welder and shares his experiences on his vlogs to help other aspiring OFWs who want to work in Japan.
In this vlog, Leo shares the details of his monthly payslip, which includes his basic salary, overtime pay, and other deductions. He explains that his basic salary is calculated based on the number of working hours he has completed for the month. In his case, he worked a total of 146 hours and 40 minutes, which earned him a basic salary of 220,000 yen.
Aside from his basic salary, Leo also earns extra income from overtime work. In the same month, he worked an additional 44 hours and 20 minutes, earning him a total of 83,125 yen for regular overtime pay. He also had Hounai Zangyou, which is overtime with a basic salary rate of 12 hours and 40 minutes. This earned him 19,000 yen, bringing his total income for the month to 322,125 yen or around 148,177 pesos.
However, Leo points out that this is still considered gross income before any taxes or deductions are taken out. He also clarifies that his income may vary depending on his workload, as well as other factors such as the exchange rate between yen and pesos.
Despite the challenges of working in Japan as an OFW, Leo remains optimistic and motivated. He shares his experiences on his vlogs to help others who may be going through the same struggles, and hopes to inspire more Filipinos to pursue their dreams of working abroad.
What are the Salary Deductions?
Here is a list of all the deductions mentioned in the article:
- Health insurance – 12,701 yen or 5,842 pesos
- Welfare pension – 23,790 yen or 10,943 pesos
- Employment insurance – 966 yen or 444 pesos
- Income tax – 7,820 yen or 3,597 pesos
- Residence tax – 13,100 yen or 6,026 pesos
- Total deductions: 58,377 yen or 26,853 pesos.
The first deduction is for health insurance, which amounts to 12,701 yen or 5,842 pesos in Philippine currency. This is a mandatory contribution that ensures OFWs like Leo have access to medical care and services while working in Japan.
Next is the welfare pension deduction, which amounts to 23,790 yen or 10,943 pesos. This contribution goes towards Leo’s future pension benefits and is part of the social security system for Japanese workers.
Another deduction is for employment insurance, which amounts to 966 yen or 444 pesos. This provides financial assistance to workers who lose their jobs due to circumstances beyond their control, such as company bankruptcy.
Income tax is also deducted from Leo’s salary, amounting to 7,820 yen or 3,597 pesos. This is a mandatory tax contribution that supports the government’s public services and infrastructure projects.
Finally, there is the residence tax, which is 13,100 yen or 6,026 pesos. This is a tax contribution that is paid annually by residents in Japan and is used to fund local government services.
In total, the deductions from Leo’s salary amount to 58,377 yen or 26,853 pesos in Philippine currency. After these deductions, his take-home pay is 263,748 yen or 121,324 pesos when converted to Philippine currency.
It is important to note that this is the net amount of Leo’s salary or what he received in his bank account for that month, after all the mandatory deductions have been taken out.
Leo’s experience as an OFW in Japan shows that working abroad has its own set of challenges and considerations, including taxes and mandatory contributions. Nonetheless, he remains optimistic and motivated, sharing his experiences and insights on his vlogs to help other Filipinos who aspire to work abroad.
Monthly Expenses in Japan
In this section of the article, we will take a closer look at the monthly utility bills and expenses of a family of four living in the Saitama area. The vlogger’s family consists of one husband, one wife, and two children.
Firstly, let’s discuss the apartment. The monthly rent for the apartment is 45,000 yen, which is equivalent to 20,700 pesos per month. This is a reasonable price for the Saitama area.
Moving on to the utilities, the electricity bill for that month was 7,683 yen or 3,534 pesos. However, it’s worth noting that during the summer months, the electricity bill tends to increase due to the use of air conditioning to cool the apartment.
The water bill for this month was 7,369 yen or 3,389 pesos. It’s important to note that the water bill is only issued every two months, so there will be no water bill next month.
Lastly, the gas bill for this month was 6,639 yen or 3,054 pesos. It’s worth mentioning that during the winter months, the gas bill tends to increase significantly, sometimes reaching as high as 9,000 to 10,000 yen, due to the use of a warm bathtub to cope with the colder weather.
The total cost of the apartment and utilities for this month was 66,691 yen or 30,707 pesos. While this may seem like a considerable expense, it’s important to remember that it is for a family of four and includes all necessary utilities for their daily living.
Here is a summary of the monthly expenses of the vlogger for one month as a welder living in Japan:
- Apartment – 45,000 yen or 20,700 pesos
- Electricity – 7,683 yen or 3,534 pesos (may increase during summer due to aircon use)
- Water – 7,369 yen or 3,389 pesos (billed every 2 months)
- Gas – 6,639 yen or 3,054 pesos (may increase up to 9,000-10,000 yen during winter due to warm bathtub use)
- Total monthly expenses for apartment and utilities – 66,691 yen or 30,676 pesos.
Groceries and Home Utilities
To summarize, here is a list of monthly expenses as shared by the vlogger:
Monthly Expenses:
- Apartment – 45,000 yen or 20,700 pesos
- Electricity – 7,683 yen or 3,534 pesos
- Water – 7,369 yen or 3,389 pesos (every two months)
- Gas – 6,639 yen or 3,054 pesos
- Total for apartment and utilities – 66,691 yen or 30,704 pesos
Other Monthly Expenses:
- Groceries – around 50,000 yen or 23,000 pesos
- Baby consumptions (diapers, milk, etc.) – 15,000 yen or 6,900 pesos
- Internet and cellphone data – 10,000 yen or 4,600 pesos for CP data, 6,000 yen or 2,760 pesos for wife’s CP bills, and 4,000 yen or 1,840 pesos for internet
- Remittances to family in the Philippines – 15,000 to 20,000 yen or 6,900 to 9,200 pesos
- Fun funds for leisure and entertainment – 20,000 yen or 9,200 pesos
- Total Monthly Expenses – 191,691 yen or 88,178 pesos (changes every month)
- Monthly Savings – 72,057 yen or 33,165 pesos
The monthly expenses of a family living in Japan can vary depending on a number of factors such as the size of the family, the location of their residence, and their lifestyle preferences. In the case of the vlogger and his family, they consist of four members – one husband, one wife, and two children. The family resides in an apartment in the Saitama area, which costs them 45,000 yen per month, or roughly 20,700 pesos.
In addition to the rent, the family has to pay for various utility bills such as electricity, water, and gas. The electricity bill for the month in question was 7683 yen or approximately 3534 pesos. This amount can increase significantly during the summer months due to the use of air conditioning. The water bill came out to 7369 yen, or around 3389 pesos, but this bill is only issued once every two months. The gas bill was 6639 yen, or roughly 3,054 pesos, but it can increase significantly during the winter months when the family uses a warm bathtub.
Aside from housing and utility expenses, the family’s grocery bill amounts to around 50,000 yen per month, or roughly 23,000 pesos. This amount is just an estimate and can change depending on the family’s food preferences and dietary restrictions. In addition, the family spends about 15,000 yen or roughly 6,900 pesos on baby consumables such as milk and diapers for their one-year-old baby.
The family also has to pay for various communication expenses such as internet and cellphone data charges. The husband pays 10,000 yen or approximately 4,600 pesos for his cellphone data while his wife’s bill is 6,000 yen, or around 2,760 pesos. The family also spends 4,000 yen, or roughly 1,840 pesos, for their home internet connection.
Furthermore, the husband regularly sends money to his family in the Philippines as remittances. He usually sends around 20,000 yen or sometimes 15,000 yen per month, which is equivalent to 6,000 to 8,000 pesos. The family also sets aside 20,000 yen, or roughly 9,200 pesos, for entertainment and leisure activities such as watching movies, going on dates, and dining out.
In total, the family’s monthly expenses come up to 191,691 yen or approximately 88,178 pesos. This amount can fluctuate depending on the changing costs of utilities and the family’s entertainment expenses. However, the family is able to save around 72,000 yen per month, which is roughly 33,144 pesos, due to the husband’s income of 263,748 yen or around 121,324 pesos per month.
it is important to note that the experience of an OFW welder in Japan may vary depending on individual circumstances, such as the company they work for, the type of work they do, and their skill level. However, the information presented in this article gives a general idea of what the salary and expenses could be like for someone in this position.
It is also worth mentioning that being an OFW welder in Japan is not without its challenges, such as being away from family and adjusting to a new culture and language. However, for many, the opportunity to earn a higher salary and provide for their loved ones is worth the sacrifice.
In conclusion, the salary of an OFW welder in Japan may vary depending on factors such as location, experience, and type of work. However, it is clear that being an OFW welder in Japan can be financially rewarding despite the high cost of living. It is important for OFWs to budget their income wisely and consider their expenses in order to maximize their earnings and savings. Despite the challenges, many OFW welders in Japan continue to work hard to support their families back home and achieve their dreams.