Migrant Worker Groups in Taiwan Advocate for Extended Employment Opportunities

Advocates Urge the Government to Remove Time Restrictions on Migrant Worker Employment and Reform Current Programs.

Taipei, Taiwan - A coalition of migrant worker groups in Taiwan recently rallied outside the Ministry of Labor (MOL), demanding the removal of employment length restrictions, specifically the 12 to 14-year limit imposed on migrant workers. The groups argue these limitations represent a form of discrimination, given the absence of similar restrictions for Taiwanese citizens or white-collar foreign workers.

Fajar, chairperson of the migrant caregiver union SBIPT, highlighted the disruption these restrictions cause, forcing migrant workers to leave Taiwan after a set period, thereby impacting their livelihoods. Fajar stated that this approach from the government doesn't recognize migrant workers' contributions, treating them merely as "guest workers."

The groups' concerns are further directed towards the "Long-term Retention of Skilled Foreign Workers Program," launched by the MOL's Workforce Development Agency (WDA) in 2022. While the program aimed to offer a pathway to permanent residency for migrant workers, it has encountered several challenges, according to Arrey, an SBIPT director.

The program sets specific salary thresholds for "intermediate-skilled" workers, such as NT$33,000 (US$1,092) per month for industrial workers and NT$29,000 for those in long-term care facilities, which exceed the minimum wage of NT$28,590. Household workers, like caregivers designated as intermediate-skilled, are supposed to earn at least NT$24,000 a month, surpassing the sector's minimum wage of NT$20,000. However, the reality is that many intermediate-skilled workers receive less than promised.

Arrey explained that employers have the sole discretion in deciding whether a migrant worker can apply for "intermediate-skilled" status, and many employers are reluctant to provide higher wages associated with the certification. Furthermore, the program's handling of manpower broker fees has been criticized. The government permits brokers to charge intermediate-skilled workers a fee equal to one month's salary. However, the service fee is reduced, potentially leading to financial loss for the worker if their contract is terminated.

Participating groups in the rally included the Serve the People Association, Taiwan International Workers' Association, National Domestic Workers' Union, Domestic Caretaker Union, SEBIMA, PANTURA, and GARDA BMI. They presented a petition to WDA section chief Tseng Chien-ta (曾建達), urging the elimination of work duration restrictions and the reform of the skilled foreign worker retention program. The groups also reiterated their call to abolish the manpower broker system in favor of a direct hiring scheme.

In response to the demands, the MOL appears to favor the "Long-term Retention of Skilled Foreign Workers Program" as the primary means for migrant workers seeking to extend their stay beyond the 12 to 14-year limit. The MOL argues that removing the time limit would undermine the program's purpose and diminish the opportunity for migrant workers to upgrade their residency status. However, the groups counter that the program's eligibility criteria for permanent residency, including working for five consecutive years for one employer while earning a salary twice the minimum wage, is exceedingly difficult to meet.

The MOL reports that as of April, 46,000 experienced migrant workers had achieved "intermediate-skilled" status, with an annual increase of approximately 10,000. Despite this, achieving the "intermediate-skilled" status does not guarantee that the workers are earning double the minimum wage. The MOL indicates that workers experiencing wage discrepancies can file complaints through the 1955 hotline and that they actively verify wage payments during contract renewals. Employers who are found to have underpaid "intermediate-skilled" workers face penalties.