Proposal to Allow Foreign Laborers in Taiwan to Renew Contract Without Exiting

Taiwan's Ministry of Labor (MOL) has recently approved the proposal to revise the existing employment services act to nullify the rule requiring foreign workers to exit Taiwan after a three-year contract, who shall still have to reapply if intending to resume work in Taiwan.

After the Taiwan Legislature ratifies such revised act, foreign laborers intending to resume work can save round-trip ticket and about NT$24,000 (US$800) of brokerage fee for the renewal.

Some 520,000 foreign workers in manufacturing and household services plus 200,000 local employers will likely benefit from the revised act.

Taiwan's manufacturing industry employs some 310,000 foreign  workers, as well as some 210,000 household workers, over 80% of whom hired through private brokers.

Foreign laborers are allowed to stay in Taiwan 12 years or three 3-year contracts. (JL)