Migrant workers can resume to change employers starting July 13: New employers must PCR tests

Starting July 1st, priority will be given to "household migrant workers" for the resumption of the rule that allows migrant workers to change employers. Chen Chung-yan (陳宗彥), deputy commander of the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC, 中央流行疫情指揮中心), announced on July 12 that the Covid-19 epidemic situation has slowed down; therefore, starting July 13th, migrant workers from different industries will be allowed to change employers, and the new employer must arrange for the migrant workers to get a PCR test within 3 days before the new employment date.

If the migrant worker did not get a PCR test within the prescribed period, or if the “one migrant worker per room” is not followed while waiting for the PCR test result, a fine of NT$60,000 to 300,000 will be imposed and no renewal of employment permits will be issued.

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The CECC announced that it will resume the "Migrant Workers may Change Employer" from July 13th. Photo/provided by the Ministry of Labor

Chen Chung-yan, deputy commander of the CECC, announced on July 1, that priority will be given to household based migrant workers to be allowed to change employers. The new employers must arrange for the PCR tests of the migrant workers. New employers who will continue to hire (including end of contract employees) should arrange for the migrant workers PCR tests and follow epidemic prevention measures according to the guidelines.

As for the transfers of migrant workers and extension of work contracts, these will be gradually allowed, considering the movement of the migrant workers and will be further reviewed in the future depending on the Covid-19 pandemic situation.  

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Arrange migrant workers' PCR tests: The new employer who hires the migrant workers (including end of contract transfers) should arrange for their PCR tests within 3 days before the new employment date. However, in areas where medical institutions do not provide PCR tests during holidays or where the inspection capacity is full, the PCR test may be postponed within 3 days from the date of the new employment. While waiting for the PCR test results, the new employer should provide a one migrant worker per room accommodation, and the PCR test fees shall be paid by the new employer.

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”Migrant workers may change employers” will be resumed on July 13. Photo/Provided by the Ministry of Labor.

Employers should implement epidemic prevention measures in accordance with the guidelines: If the migrant workers test positive for PCR tests, the new employer must follow the Ministry of Labor’s (MOL, 勞動部) "Guidelines for Employing Migrant Workers in Response to Covid-19: Work, Life and management and precautions for migrant workers’ movements outside their work” (Employer’s Guidelines), and to cooperate with health units to arrange for medical treatment and quarantine.

If the hired migrant workers test negative for PCR, the new employer should follow the employer’s guidelines to conduct daily migrant health monitoring and record the migrant workers’ activities and movement.

In addition, if an employer entrusts a manpower agency to take care of the migrant workers, and the agency fails to do its job well and violates the epidemic prevention measures, it will be fined from NT$60,000 to NT$300,000 in accordance with the agency’s violation of the Employment Service Act.