The government has decided to relax rules on skilled foreign workers in Taiwan in an effort to attract more foreign talent.
The labor ministry said on Wednesday that new rules will take effect in January after all preparatory work and revision to the rules is ready.
In the future, work experience requirements will be lifted and the government-mandated minimum monthly wage removed. The government is also set to ease rules on the amount of revenue and capitalization Taiwanese companies must have before they can hire foreign nationals. It is expected that loosening regulations will help attract 2,000 to 3,000 skilled foreign workers per year.
Under a labor ministry plan, skilled foreign workers will be eligible to work in Taiwan as long as they have the appropriate credentials, adequate Chinese language ability, and professional skills.
Taiwan has suffered a brain drain over the past decade. Government statistics shows that the island has seen an exodus of anywhere between 20,000 and 30,000 white-collar skilled workers every year during that time. In addition to attracting talent, the decision to relax rules on skilled foreign workers is also aimed at coping with the Taiwan’s dwindling birth rate and aging population.