The Labor Ministry recently devised new measures for retaining overseas Chinese students, and is considering amending the law to make it even easier for overseas Chinese students in Taiwan to obtain individual work permits.
Chow Wai-ying (周慧盈), a Malaysian national and graduate of Shih Hsin University, shared her experience looking for work post-graduation in Taiwan. Chow attended Shih Hsin University in 2015, studying in their journalism department and Graduate Institute for Gender Studies. By leveraging professional connections, she was able to find a position as a project manager for the TransAsia Sisters Association of Taiwan. The association applied for a work permit on her behalf.
Two of Chow’s friends, both of whom are also overseas Chinese students, were not as fortunate in their job search. She explained one friend was unable to join a company that had been willing to hire them because the company’s profits failed to meet the annual threshold set by the government for the hiring of overseas employees. Chow said another friend was unable to obtain a full-time foreign teaching position at a cram school despite having the requisite skills and credentials; the current law stipulates that the language taught by a foreign teacher must be the official language of the country for which they hold a passport.
The Labor Ministry’s revisions for providing work permits to overseas Chinese students will loosen employment restrictions. Chow expressed her excitement at the prospect, saying she hopes the amendments will further facilitate opportunities for immigrant workers, and make Taiwan a more multicultural society.