The Central Region Affairs Brigade of the National Immigration Agency, Hsinchu County Special Task Force, recently uncovered an illegal work case, catching seven Vietnamese migrant workers on-site, including a Vietnamese spouse alias "A Huan." A Huan had introduced her relatives and friends to work at the factory where she was employed during their holidays, violating the Employment Service Act. The entire case has been referred to the Hsinchu County Government for further action.
According to the investigation by the Hsinchu County Special Task Force, the factory is located in the middle of a field in Baidi Village, Zhubei City, and often has foreign nationals working on holidays. In early July, the task force received a tip-off, dispatched personnel to inspect, and discovered six Vietnamese migrant workers engaged in bottle painting work. Upon investigation, it was found that these workers were originally legally employed at a technology company in Zhubei. However, to earn extra income, they were introduced by A Huan to work at the factory during their days off.
A factory located in the middle of a field in Baidi District, Zhubei City, often has many foreign nationals working on weekends. (Image / Source: Liberty Times website)
A Huan argued that due to labor shortages at the factory and the desire of her fellow countrymen to increase their income, she introduced her relatives and friends. However, according to the Employment Service Act, mediating others for illegal work and employing legal migrant workers during their rest days are both illegal actions. The evidence of illegal work, illegal mediation, and illegal employment in this case is clear, and the case has been referred to the Hsinchu County Government for penalties.
Li Wen-da, the captain of the Hsinchu County Special Task Force, emphasized that migrant workers in Taiwan must comply with relevant laws, and any unauthorized work activities are illegal. Violators may face fines and could have their legal employment permits revoked by the Ministry of Labor, leading to deportation. He reminded migrant workers not to take risks and avoid breaking the law.
The Employment Service Act stipulates that mediating foreigners for illegal work is punishable by fines ranging from NT$100,000 to NT$500,000. Violators who intend to profit may face imprisonment of up to three years and fines of up to NT$1.2 million. The maximum fine for employing or harboring illegal foreign nationals is NT$750,000. The public is urged not to break the law as the consequences are severe and not worth the risk.
