Hiring illegal workers will result in penalties given to employers and the middleman, with a fine up to NT$600,000

According to the 4wayvoice, many employers from the food and beverage industry and individuals hire foreign employees through friends. However, one must remember to check relevant documents and identification first to avoid hiring illegal foreign workers and penalties.

Chen Xin Yu, the Director-general of the Department of Labor, Taipei City Government said that hiring illegal workers will result in penalties given to employers and the middleman, with a fine up to NT$600,000 or being imprisoned for one year.

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The Department of Labor, Taipei City Government reminds employers to verify job seekers’ identities before hiring. (Photo / Provided by The Department of Labor, Taipei City Government)

Department of Labor, Taipei City Government stated that recently, a food and beverage business hired a foreigner as a waiter through a regular customer. He did not expect that the other party was a missing migrant worker, causing both the employer and middleman to face a fine.

Chen pointed out that hiring foreigners to work illegally has violated the “Employment Services Act”, and one can be fined at least NT$100,000 and up to NT$500,000. If the person commits the same unlawful act within 5 years, one may face a less-than-one-year term of imprisonment, detention or a combined sentence of principal punishments which include a fine up to NT$600,000.

In addition, if the agency earns profits by introducing foreigners to work illegally, one will face a less-than-one-three term of imprisonment, or a combined sentence of principal punishments which include a fine up to NT$1.2 million.

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Foreigners holding a permanent residence or foreign students can apply for work permits from the Ministry of Labor. (Photo / Retrieved from Pixabay)

A reminder to all employers, must check and inquire about the foreigner’s identity when there is a job seeker. Remember to check the original copy of the relevant documents and identification and keep a softcopy or photo for self-protection to avoid penalties.

For foreigners who want to work in Taiwan, foreigners holding a permanent residence or foreign students can apply for work permits from the Ministry of Labor. Furthermore, foreign spouses can find jobs without having to apply for work permits.