The Ministry of Labor on Thursday said it is planning to open the social-work sector to foreign nationals following the passage of a regulatory amendment.
Workforce Development Agency officials said that foreign nationals would be allowed to seek white-collar job opportunities in the social-work sector after passing Taiwan’s national examinations.
However, foreign nationals would only be able to seek employment with public social welfare, labor, judicial and health organizations, or private registered groups, the officials said.
Photo: Lee Ching-hui, Taipei Times
International students are already allowed to major in social welfare at a higher-education institution in Taiwan, but regulations restrict their employment opportunities in the field domestically even after graduating and obtaining national certification, the officials said, adding that the issue was brought to the ministry’s attention by the Ministry of Health and Welfare.
Social Assistance and Social Work Department head Su Chao-ju (蘇昭如) said that the department received a letter from a foreign resident who was unable to seek employment in the social work sector in Taiwan even after passing the certification examination.
After seeking input from the labor ministry and domestic social work organizations, and factoring in the potential effect on employment of Taiwanese, the health ministry deemed it appropriate to recommend permitting foreign nationals to work in the sector, Su said.
The recommendation also came after realizing the level of professionalism among prospective foreign social workers after passing the nation’s exams, Su said, adding that such talent could contribute to social work in Taiwan’s diverse communities and expat groups.
National Union of Licensed Social Workers chairwoman Wu Yu-chin (吳玉琴) said that her union welcomes the inclusion of foreign nationals in the social worker sector.
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