The Ministry of Labor has voiced its support for a proposal by legislators to increase the total number of years that foreign nationals can work in Taiwan, but only on the condition that such an extension will not affect job opportunities for locals.
Led by Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislator Chiang Huei-chen (江惠貞), 19 legislators yesterday proposed an amendment to the Employment Service Act (就業服務法) that would allow foreign workers to work a total of 15 years in Taiwan, compared with the maximum 12 at present.
The lawmakers also proposed to get rid of a regulation requiring migrant workers to leave the country for at least a day when their work permit expires before re-entering the country to work under a renewed or new permit.
Minister of Labor Chen Hsiung-wen (陳雄文) said he supported the amendment, adding that he thinks it would solidify relationships between employees and employers, save on training costs and keep talented foreign workers in Taiwan.
Extending how long foreigners can work domestically would help employers retain people who meet their needs, he said.
“Such a move would not increase the number of foreign workers in Taiwan, but it will help economic development and social stability,” Chen said.
Chen was less supportive of the proposal to get rid of the re-entry requirement, saying that it must be further discussed.
Hong Kong and South Korea do not set a ceiling on the aggregate number of years foreign nationals can work in their territories.
Singapore limits so-called “basic workers” to six-year stays, but those with certain technical skills can work in the city-state for up to 18 years, and no ceiling for total work duration exists for domestic helpers in Singapore, the ministry said.
Ministry statistics show that as of Feb. 28, there were 513,570 legally employed foreign workers in Taiwan, as well as 44,204 foreign workers whose whereabouts were unknown.
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