eNewsletter

Taiwan’s Council of Labor Affairs (CLA) met in early May to discuss loosening regulations on employment of foreign white-collar workers.  In order to be hired under current law, foreign workers are required to obtain a working permit from the Taiwan CLA. To qualify for the working permit, the worker must have at least two years of relevant work experience and their starting monthly salary cannot be less than NT$47,971/month (USD $1674/month).  The CLA initially discussed exempting foreign students and overseas Chinese students from the restrictions, but no agreement was made.

Officials from the Taiwanese Ministry of Education and Ministry of Economic Affairs have supported eliminating restrictions in order to attract more foreign white-collar workers and foreign students, which they argue will lead to higher foreign investment in the future.   However, the CLA is concerned that such a move in hiring laws will increase local unemployment, as the unemployment rate for Taiwanese graduates still remains relatively high (4.8%, as compared to the average 4.29%).  Instead of eliminating the current restrictions, the CLA is advocating a specific definition of “talented workers” who will be exempt from the hiring restrictions.