labor rights in Taiwan

Taiwan, Be on the Right Side of History When It Comes to Labor Migration

Bonny Ling
A few months before the presidential elections, I gave a talk in Taipei on the responsible recruitment of migrant workers, where they do not bear the cost of their job recruitment and begin their employment saddled by debt. Afterwards, a participant came up to ask me which presidential candidate I thought would stand the best chance to reform Taiwan’s labour recruitment system towards the Employers Pays Principle, where the costs of recruitment are borne by the employers...
EnglishFebruary 2024LaborSocial Movements12 min read

Make-Up Work Days Lead to Backlash

Brian Hioe
There has been increased criticism of the make-up holiday system in Taiwan after a series of six-day works in the last two months. Current provisions specify that when a public holiday falls on a Tuesday or Thursday, the government moves the date of the holiday to create a long weekend, but then a Saturday in another week becomes a work day...
EnglishMarch 2023Politics5 min read

Wage Hike for Migrant Workers Criticized for Limited Scope

Brian Hioe
Migrant workers and migrant worker advocates criticized a recent wage hike that would increase the minimum monthly wage for live-in migrant workers, who primarily work in homes taking care of the elderly, from 17,000 NT to 20,000 NT. Namely, though the wage hike increases the minimum monthly wage for live-in migrant workers by 17%, the wage hike is still 5,250 NT below the minimum wage in Taiwan, which is 25,250 NT...
August 2022EnglishLaborSocial Movements5 min read

Arrest of Migrant Worker Visa Overstayer Likely to Discourage Others From Being Vaccinated

Brian Hioe
Efforts to vaccinate undocumented migrant workers or migrant workers who have left their employers and overstayed their visas in Taiwan are likely to encounter difficulties after police arrested a migrant worker from the Philippines who had overstayed her visa. This took place after she went to be vaccinated, despite promises by the Central Epidemic Command Center that undocumented migrant workers who wish to be vaccinated can do so without fear of arrest...
December 2021EnglishPolitics6 min read

COVID Insurance Required for Migrant Workers in New Regulations

Brian Hioe
A new requirement that took effect starting on December 1st requires migrant workers to have COVID-19 insurance before they will be allowed to enter Taiwan, which will be paid for by their employer. As with other inbound travelers, migrant workers will be required to quarantine for fourteen days after entry. But while, in theory, this should insure migrant workers so that they have coverage in the event that they have COVID-19 when they enter Taiwan, the possibility remains that employers will try to pass the costs onto migrant workers...
December 2021EnglishLaborSocial Movements5 min read