TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's Labor Minister Hung Sun-han (洪申翰) announced Thursday (May 15) that the Ministry of Labor (MOL, 勞動部) is reconsidering the nation's approach to foreign labor, potentially linking increased migrant worker quotas to higher domestic wages. The policy review addresses critical workforce shortages stemming from Taiwan's demographic challenges of plummeting birth rates and rapidly aging population, issues that have thrust migrant labor policies into the national spotlight.
Minister Hung emphasized that protecting local workers remains the government's foremost concern when expanding foreign labor access, specifically to prevent downward pressure on industry wages. He noted that authorities have temporarily suspended permits for international students seeking mid-level technical positions, including nursing assistants and commercial drivers, while pledging to develop comprehensive support measures in consultation with other government agencies.
Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) recently outlined the proposed incentive structure in media comments, suggesting companies could access larger foreign worker allocations by meeting specific domestic wage thresholds, a mechanism designed to elevate compensation across Taiwan's labor market. Minister Hung promised to coordinate with relevant agencies to develop robust policies that would effectively implement this wage-growth strategy while managing foreign labor needs. ◼