To reduce the number of foreign workers who run away, the Council of Labor Affairs (CLA) said it was considering regulations that would make it easier to change employers.
In the past, foreign workers who opted to change jobs were required to obtain the agreement of both their original and prospective employer.
However, any original employer who agreed to such an arrangement was penalized with the removal of his foreign labor quota.
Critics have long complained that such a policy made it all but impossible to seek alternative employment.
‘RUNAWAYS’
Council officials said that loosening restrictions on foreign workers wanting to switch employers could help reduce the number who run away and become undocumented laborers.
The number of foreign workers who are either missing, performing undocumented work or on the run has risen in recent years.
STATISTICS
Council statistics show that since 1992 — when foreign workers were first permitted to work in Taiwan — to the end of January, the total number of workers listed as missing has now reached 28,487.
That figure is increasing at a rate of about 1,000 per year, data showed.
Council officials said the rising number of runaway foreign workers could create problems because undocumented workers have no protection when their rights are not respected and have no health or labor insurance.
In addition to allowing foreign laborers to change jobs more easily, council officials said follow-up measures would also be implemented to assist employers in the event that the costs of switching foreign laborers or caregivers proves too high.
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