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Cabinet increases quota for foreign laborers by 12,000

The Cabinet yesterday announced that an additional 12,000 foreign laborers will be able to work in Taiwan from Sept. 15.

"There is a need for more labor for certain major public construction projects. Private companies are also experiencing a serious shortage of labor so we believe that there is a need for more foreign laborers," Council of Labor Affairs Minister Lu Tien-ling (盧天麟) said during a press briefing after the weekly Cabinet meeting.

FEE REDUCTION

The Cabinet will also reduce a fee for those who hire foreigners to look after the sick from NT$2,000 to NT$600 a month per employee.

The total number of foreign workers is restricted to 15 percent of the number of employees in a company.

But from Sept. 15, the maximum for Class A and Class B industries will be 20 percent and 18 percent respectively.

The Cabinet's definition of Class A industries includes businesses related to heavy metal and plastic refinement.

Class B industries include businesses related to fiber, glass and paint.

`CONTRIBUTION'

"It is our prediction that under this new rule, an additional 12,000 foreign laborers will be able to come to Taiwan and begin to make a contribution this fall," Lu said.

From Sept. 15, employers will be fined NT$750,000 for each illegally employed foreign laborer. A foreign laborer will also be allowed to change jobs without restriction if the previous and prospective employers agree.
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