Ryan FowlerTaiwan and India have agreed on a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to introduce Indian migrant workers into Taiwan through a government-to-government (G2G) recruitment scheme. Signed on February 16, the MOU was made public on Wednesday, highlighting a collaborative effort to supplement “existing recruitment channels” and increase the sectors eligible for the G2G scheme.
The agreement allows Taiwan to determine the number of Indian workers to be recruited and the sectors they will be employed in, addressing labor rights concerns by steering away from the brokerage system. This system has been criticised for imposing high job placement and monthly service fees on migrant workers in Taiwan.
Efforts will also be made under the MOU to simplify the recruitment paperwork and give priority to workers seeking rehire after completing their contracts.
The Taiwanese Labor Ministry has informed the Legislative Yuan of the MOU, following notification to the Cabinet on March 26. Su Yu-kuo, head of the Workforce Development Agency’s Cross-Border Workforce Affairs Center, expressed the agency’s intention to consult with academics, experts, and relevant groups on the introduction of Indian workers. These consultations aim to foster societal discussions on the recruitment plan and ensure a comprehensive understanding of the necessary preparatory work.
The MOU sets the framework for recruiting Indian workers in Taiwan, but a formal announcement designating India as a source of migrant labor will only occur after establishing relevant regulations and protocols.
