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I've been facing unreadable blueprints since this morning.
They are all such hard workers.
2024.08.01
Senior Managing Director
Hidenori Sugiura
Mr. Sugiura not only works alongside the foreign workers as a foreman, but also handles transportation to and from the worksite, spending most of his day with them. It is because of this close relationship that he notices their subtle efforts and nuances of their feelings.
If you can just greet people properly, you'll get help when something happens.
Is there anything you pay particular attention to in your everyday communication?
I try to engage in conversation, even if it's just a little. For example, if there are 5 or 10 minutes before the morning meeting, I'll ask, "Is anyone feeling unwell?" or "This is the task we'll be working on today." Since everyone has a different personality, I also adjust the content of my conversations and the way I speak to each person.
Are you settling in at work?
I think they've settled in without any problems. I've told them to at least say hello to everyone on site. Just initiating a conversation helps people remember their faces, and they might look out for you if something comes up. I first instructed them to learn "Good morning" and "Thank you for your hard work."
How is their work performance?
They generally put their heart and soul into everything they do. For example, when I go to the construction site, I often see them opening and checking blueprints even though they can't read them yet. I guess they're making an effort to learn in their own way. Rebar work also requires calculations, but they've studied that too, and now most of them can do it without any problems.
I'm able to live without too many problems, although there are religious reasons for it.
Have you ever experienced cultural differences?
Muslims observe a period called Ramadan, during which they fast from sunrise to sunset. Apparently, there's a gathering of Muslims visiting Japan during this time, and I was surprised when one employee suddenly asked for time off because of the meeting. It seems he had informed the company president, but I only found out three days before his requested leave date, which really made me panic. However, since it was for religious reasons, I made sure he got the time off.
There are some foods that are forbidden by religious precepts.
The Indonesian employees who work at our company are surprisingly free to eat anything. I sometimes take them to my favorite izakaya (Japanese pub), and they eat everything, from seafood to beef, saying it's delicious, which is really satisfying to watch. They especially love shrimp, and although I ask the restaurant to stock up on a large quantity in advance, they eat it so fast that it almost sells out.
I didn't notice my mother calling me at work and got homesick.
What do you pay attention to when communicating?
Safety is our top priority, so sometimes we have to raise our voices to warn people to prevent them from getting hurt. However, there was one person who was more intimidated than we realized. When I listened to him in detail, it turned out he was homesick, and I hadn't noticed. That experience made me more mindful of people's mental state as well.
Is it important to keep a close eye on them on a regular basis?
That's right. Looking back, it seems the foreigner was on the phone with his mother during his break. So, he was giving clear signs. If we had been paying close attention, we could have taken care of him. Since then, if I notice anything even slightly unusual, I make sure to talk to him. It was a very memorable experience and a major point of reflection for me.
(Interviewed on June 28, 2023)
