The ROC Legislative Yuan gave its green light to amendments to the Employment Services Act Jan. 19, extending the maximum number of years foreign laborers can work in Taiwan from nine to 12 years, according to the Council of Labor Affairs.
The changes will cover foreigners working as household help and in-home and institutional caregivers, as well as those in the manufacturing, construction and distant water fishery sectors, a CLA official explained.
“The move will increase work performance, reduce the time required to train foreign laborers, shorten the job replacement period and minimize labor disputes,” she said.
Under existing law, foreigners can work in Taiwan for three years at a stretch. Upon expiration of their work permits, they have to leave the country before applying for another three-year term, with each worker’s maximum number of accumulated work time capped at nine years.
Many employers have complained about the rigidity of the law, saying that the inflexible regulations add to their costs and disrupt operations. Those who hire foreigners as household caregivers are particularly unhappy about the rules.
“Since no change has been made to the application procedure or employer qualifications, the easing will not increase the number of foreign workers in Taiwan, affect the country’s job market or infringe upon local laborers’ rights,” the official added.
According to CLA statistics, there are around 423,000 foreign laborers in Taiwan. A recent survey shows that around 25,000 workers now in their final term will benefit from the amendments.
The official expects the amendments to clear all necessary administrative procedures in the coming months and be promulgated by the Presidential Office in the first quarter of this year. (HZW)
Write to Meg Chang at meg.chang@mail.gio.gvo.tw