‘Accumulated points system’ will determine migrant worker entry order: Ministry of Labor

By The China Post, Taiwan/ Taiwan Immigrants' Global News Network

According to The China Post, the Ministry of Labor (MOL, 勞動部) announced on Monday that an “accumulated points system” (積分制) will be used to determine the entry order of migrant workers expected at the end of November.

The MOL had previously revealed that migrant workers from Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines will be allowed into Taiwan as part of the first stage, regardless of their industries.

On the epidemic-prevention front, priority will be given to those who have received two doses of vaccines. They will also need to take a PCR test three days before boarding their flight and will need to quarantine in individual rooms when they arrive.

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The Ministry of Labor announced measures for "Resuming the Entry of Migrant Workers". (Photo / Provided by the MOL)

In addition, they will need to take another PCR test upon arrival and will need to undergo a 14-day quarantine period as well as a 7-day self-health management period.

MOL Minister Hsu Ming-chun (許銘春) announced that evaluation criteria of the adopted “accumulated points system” will include whether migrant workers are fully vaccinated, the epidemic situation in their respective country of origins, and the employer’s epidemic-prevention preparations.

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The Minister of Labor, Hsu Ming-chun, reminded employers to help migrant workers apply for "medical insurance". (Photo / Retrieved from the live broadcast of Parliamentary Procedures)

The points given to fully vaccinated individuals will be higher than those who have not been vaccinated; more points will also be given to countries who have managed to keep the pandemic situation under control, reports say.

The MOL will strictly require foreign agencies to perform pandemic prevention management responsibilities. (Photo / Retrieved from the Pixabay)

Meanwhile, if employers who hire migrant workers show that they provide single suites with individual bathrooms, the points received will be higher than those who provide multi-person dormitories.

The integrated points of the three criteria listed will become the basis for the re-introduction of migrant workers into Taiwan.

Hsu added that the number of migrant workers allowed into Taiwan will need to match the quarantine capacity provided by the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC, 中央流行疫情指揮中心).

At present, it has been reported that the central government will provide around 1,700 beds for the MOL for migrant workers, though it may be adjusted in the future depending on the situation.

Authorization of this article from【The China Post】By Vivian Hsiao