TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Young Taiwanese job seekers are prioritizing work-life balance and flexibility, making it difficult for traditional industries to attract talent.
"When seeking employment, individuals prioritize leisure time outside of work and consider the work environment first," said Tony Kuo, chairman of the Local Shoe-care Center. "Only after that do they consider the wage package."
This shift in priorities is reflected in data from the Ministry of Labor, which found that the number of workers sought by employers increased by 57,000 between January and April and by 60,000 between April and July.
Manufacturing sectors consistently reported labor shortages, requiring approximately 20,000 workers throughout the three surveys.
Experts believe that the growing role of AI may lead to structural changes within the manufacturing sector, necessitating the development of new skill sets among workers to remain competitive.
"The future workplace is likely to follow an M-shaped trend, with highly competitive and elite candidates becoming more sought-after and receiving better treatment," said Nicholas Ku, deputy secretary-general of the Association of Chain and Franchise Promotion, Taiwan.
"Meanwhile, other non-specialized junior positions will be replaced by AI and automation at an accelerated pace."
As the pandemic situation in Taiwan stabilizes, many individuals are continuing to pursue more flexible job opportunities, including those offered by delivery platforms. However, experts advise young job seekers to consider the long-term viability of these roles and the potential for retirement savings.
"Failure to do so could lead to a widespread aging population facing income poverty in the long run," warned Mei Hsu, a professor in the Department of Business Administration at National Taiwan Normal University.