“A Plan to retain migrant worker talents” is expected to take effect from this April

Due to the manpower shortage in Taiwan, a hearing of “A Plan to retain migrant worker talents (移工留才久用方案)” was held in the Executive Yuan on February 17. Those eligible are migrant workers who have worked in Taiwan for at least 6 years, and overseas Chinese students who have been educated in Taiwan can apply for Permanent Residence (PR) through employers after meeting certain criteria. It is expected to take effect this April.

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Eligible people include migrant workers and overseas Chinese students. (Photo / Provided by MOL)

According to The Ministry of Labor’s plan, in the future, migrant workers who have worked in Taiwan for more than 6 years, and overseas Chinese students who have obtained an associate degree and above in Taiwan, and meet the salary and technical requirements, can apply to their employers to engage in mid-level technical jobs in Taiwan, and there is no limit on the number of working years.

If individuals have engaged in mid-level technical jobs for 5 years and meet the monthly gross salary of more than NT$50,500 or obtain a professional certificate of Level B technician, one can apply for permanent residence in accordance with the immigration law.

After several negotiations, industries that are within the plan are initially limited to marine fishing, manufacturing, construction, agriculture, and caregivers. In the future, the sector will be reviewed on a rolling-wave planning basis according to the needs of national economic development.

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Due to the manpower shortage in Taiwan, a hearing of “A Plan to retain migrant worker talents” was held in the Executive Yuan. (Photo / Retrieved from Pixabay)

At present, salary thresholds have been set for foreigners who engage in mid-level technical jobs, and the regular salary should be at least NT$33,000 and above. The plan is to lessen the problem of labor shortage, as well as protect Taiwan workers’ employment rights. It is expected to take effect from April 2022.