In response to Taiwan’s severe labor shortage, the Labor Ministry has finalized the decision to receive 1,000 workers from India for the initial phase of the Taiwan-India Labor Cooperation Agreement.
By July this year, Taiwan’s labor shortage reached 66,000 workers, with 21,000 vacancies in the manufacturing sector alone. In response, the Labor Ministry has finalized the decision to receive workers from India.
Previously, there were rumors that as many as 100,000 Indian migrant workers would be introduced to Taiwan all at once, raising concerns about public safety. In reality, the current plan opts for a less drastic approach, with a quota of only 1,000 workers, 5% of whom will be hired directly by local businesses, bypassing intermediary agencies. Workers with proficiency in English will be prioritized.
Taiwan and India will also hold regular meetings to coordinate a management system and establish dedicated agencies on both sides. However, there are concerns that opportunities for local workers may be crowded out.
Labor Ministry Workforce Development Agency Director-General Tsai Meng-Liang (蔡孟良) emphasized that the total number of migrant workers will not increase; employers simply have one more source to choose from.
He also noted that many Taiwanese companies already have factories in India, employing local labor, albeit primarily in the manufacturing sector. Bringing in Indian workers can help to fill domestic labor shortages in other sectors such as construction and agriculture.
While a welcoming attitude is encouraged, strict screening processes will still be implemented for any incoming migrant workers.