The labor ministry has voiced support for increasing the total number of years foreign laborers can stay in Taiwan. But the labor ministry said on Wednesday that this is only on the condition that such an extension will not affect job opportunities for locals.
Ruling party lawmakers proposed an amendment to the Employment Service Act Wednesday that would allow foreign laborers to work a total of 15 years in Taiwan. This present maximum is 12 years.
The lawmakers also proposed scrapping a regulation requiring foreign laborers to leave the country for at least one day once their work permit expires before allowing them to re-enter the country to work under a renewed permit.
Labor Minister Chen Hsiung-wen said he supports the amendment and believes it will solidify the relationship between employers and employees, save training costs and keep talented foreign workers in Taiwan. But the minister was less supportive of the proposal to get rid of the re-entry requirement.