Minister of Labor Chen Hsiung-wen (陳雄文) yesterday sought to allay concerns that opening the market to more foreign white-collar workers might squeeze out their local peers, saying that wages would not be what attract these foreign workers, let alone the so-called “22K” jobs.
The Cabinet has proposed eliminating requirements that foreign white-collar workers should be paid a minimum of NT$47,971 per month and that they must have at least two years of experience. Instead, it has proposed introducing a point-based system, with work permits granted to those scoring more than 60 points based on their educational attainment, foreign language ability and professional competence.
The measure has drawn criticism and the ire of labor groups and lawmakers.
Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Lin Shu-fen (林淑芬) last month said that lifting the restrictions is a government attempt to help corporations lower their labor costs, but would aggravate the problem of stagnant wages.
Asked about the criticism after the Cabinet meeting yesterday, Chen said the ministry would continue to try to communicate with lawmakers and workers’ groups.
“The new legislature has just been inaugurated. We will visit the 15 lawmakers comprising the Social Welfare and Environmental Hygiene Committee after the legislature has finalized the committee members,” Chen said. “Labor and business groups will also be invited to share their thoughts.”
“Perhaps, some lawmakers are not familiar with the policy or have misunderstood it. We will make an effort to explain the policy to them, and if disagreement persists, we will hold public hearings to present the pros and cons” of the policy, Chen added.
Asked about public concern that the proposal would crowd out local workers, Chen said that what would attract foreign white-collar workers to Taiwan “is definitely not the pay.”
“Taiwan’s wages have been stagnant for 15 years, [a predicament] when compared to, not to say all other countries in the world, but those in Asia alone. So what attracts foreign professionals to the country is definitely not the salary. Would anyone come here to fight for those 22K jobs?” Chen asked, referring to a controversial average starting pay of NT$22,000 per month for new graduates.
Chen added that those who choose to work in Taiwan regardless of the pay are likely people hoping to be young entrepreneurs who want to start their own business.
“There are many who start a business online now with just two or three people, and you tell them that they need to have at least two years of work experience and a minimum salary. However, they might all be board members, just like Microsoft which started its business in a garage,” Chen said. “You cannot cultivate this kind of entrepreneurship if you set a minimum wage barrier.”
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