Taiwan Launches Pilot Program for Hourly Caregiver Migrant Workers

New Pilot Program Faces Criticism Over High Costs and Potential Impact on Existing Caregivers.

A pilot program for "diverse companion care services," allowing hourly caregivers, or 移工 (Yigong), is set to launch tomorrow in Taiwan. Six initial providers are participating, spanning the north, central, south, and east regions of the island. The program caters to individuals with disabilities, serious illnesses, those with medical or surgical histories, and those eligible to employ a family caregiver 移工.

The cost for a four-hour service ranges from NT$1,000 to NT$1,250.

However, the Taiwan Association of Disabled Families and International Caregiver Employers has voiced criticism, deeming the hourly 移工 charges exorbitant. The association argues that the fees are higher than those of illegal caregivers and local care service workers. This disparity, they claim, places a heavy financial burden on families requiring urgent, short-term, or temporary care, especially those with seriously ill or disabled members.

The association also expresses concerns that the pilot program may compete with existing family caregivers, alleging that participating providers are offering high salaries (based on minimum wage for institutional caregivers) to attract hourly 移工. The 雇主 (Guzhu) association, through the office of Legislator 林俊憲 (Lin Jun-xian), has urged the Ministry of Labor to postpone the program's launch and reassess the pricing structure.