Representatives of Taiwan and Indonesia have held a virtual meeting to discuss points of disagreement surrounding the employment of Indonesian migrant workers in Taiwan.
Indonesia plans to shift responsibility for Indonesian migrant workers’ airfare and other expenses onto Taiwanese employers starting in January. The move will make it more expensive to hire Indonesian migrant workers, and Taiwanese employers of migrant workers have expressed their opposition to the plan.
Meanwhile, the Indonesian side has expressed disappointment at Taiwan’s decision to ban entry for Indonesian migrant workers indefinitely. Taiwanese authorities made the decision after a large number of workers arriving from Indonesia tested positive for COVID-19.
Labor Minister Hsu Ming-chun says that the virtual meeting to discuss these issues began at 11:00 am Taiwan Time on Wednesday. Hsu said the labor ministry’s position on Indonesian migrant workers remains based on the outcome of previous bilateral discussions with Indonesia. Hsu says that both Taiwan and Indonesia will need to come to a new consensus before any changes to the existing arrangement are made.
Hsu also said that Taiwan and Indonesia may hold further meetings if issues remain after Wednesday’s discussions.