Firms that have invested in new projects in Taiwan within the past two years will be allowed to expand their foreign labor workforce by year-end at the earliest, according to the Council of Labor Affairs Oct. 1.
The CLA announcement came following an interagency meeting on foreign labor policy earlier in the day.
Currently, manufacturers can employ foreign workers for demanding labor under a five-tier hiring ratio ranging from 10 percent to 35 percent of their total number of employees according to the type of industry, while in free trade zones the limit is 40 percent, the CLA said.
Under the new policy, the cap on foreign laborers will remain at 40 percent, but the number investing firms can employ will increase by up to 5 percent, 10 percent, or 15 percent, depending on the conditions the companies meet, the council explained.
Enterprises making new investments, opening new plants or installing new equipment will be able to hire up to 5 percent more foreign workers, while manufacturers meeting certain qualifications such as producing high value-added goods or key components can employ an extra 10 percent.
Currently, high-tech firms must pay NT$2,400 (US$81.96) per foreign laborer for what is known as an “employment stabilization fund,” which is used to promote jobs for locals, enhance labor welfare and administer foreign workers, while companies in other sectors pay NT$2,000.
Under the new policy, manufacturers will have to pay an additional NT$3,000, NT$5,000 or NT$7,000 per person to hire 5 percent, 10 percent or 15 percent more foreign laborers, respectively, the CLA said. (THN)
Write to Grace Kuo at mlkuo@mofa.gov.tw