Officials are discussing loosening rules governing residency for migrant workers in order to prevent a labor shortage. The discussions come as the COVID-19 pandemic makes it more difficult to bring in migrant workers from countries such as Indonesia.
During a meeting of the Legislature’s Economics Committee Wednesday, Economics Minister Wang Mei-hua said that those involved in the discussions include President Tsai Ing-wen and Premier Su Tseng-chang.
Wang said that there are two proposed changes so far. The first would allow migrant workers already in Taiwan to remain for a longer period. The second would extend the maximum number of years that migrant workers can remain in Taiwan beyond the current twelve-year limit.
Wang said that these proposals are still under discussion, and that government agencies have not decided whether to go ahead with either.