Marje Pelayo • November 27, 2018 • 4596

TAIPEI, Taiwan – Abusive employers will face up to 300,000 NT (P500,000) fine under the newly amended Employment Service Act.

Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan approved the measure on third reading in early November which prohibits employers from keeping the migrant worker’s passport or any identity document such as work permit without the consent of the person.

Under the amended law, any employer or employment agency proven to have abused the rights of migrant workers in the country will be sanctioned.

According to the Ministry of Labor, employers who are subject of complaints will be fined from 60,000NT (P100,000) up to 300,000NT (P500,000).

Meanwhile, for grave offenses such as sexual assault, human trafficking, physical abuse and homicide that have been reported within 24 hours from the time of the incident will incur the suspect a fine of 300,000NT to 1.5-M Taiwan dollars (P2M).

Apart from the high price of monetary penalty, brokers or agencies in question will also face revocation of permit to operate.

The said measures are in line with the government’s efforts to protect the rights of migrant workers whose roles have been vital in Taiwan’s economy.

Based on records of Taiwan’s Ministry of Labor, there are around 700,000 migrant workers in Taiwan as of 2018 with most numbers working in the manufacturing sector. – Marje Pelayo (with reports from Amiel Pascual)