Ministry of Labor Clarifies Rumors: Migrant Workers Do Not Receive NT$39,000 for Pregnancy, Nor Are They Forced to Leave Japan/Hong Kong for Childbirth
Taiwan's Ministry of Labor has clarified internet rumors stating that pregnant migrant workers receive NT$39,000 monthly and that those in Japan and Hong Kong must leave to give birth, deeming both false. The Ministry emphasized that Japan, Hong Kong, and South Korea all prohibit employers from dismissing foreign domestic helpers due to pregnancy.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 29, 2026 at 13:59
- 🔍 Collected: April 29, 2026 at 14:31 (32 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 29, 2026 at 14:34 (2 min after Collected)
Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Wu Hsin-yun, Taipei, 29th) Recent online rumors in Taiwan circulating include claims like 'pregnant migrant workers receive NT$39,000 monthly' and 'migrant workers in Japan and Hong Kong must leave to give birth if pregnant.' The Ministry of Labor today clarified that both are false messages, noting that Japan, Hong Kong, and South Korea all prohibit employers from dismissing foreign domestic helpers due to pregnancy.
The Ministry of Labor issued a press release today stating that recent online rumors of 'pregnant migrant workers receiving NT$39,000 monthly, and their children receiving NT$1.72 million by age 6,' as well as an image titled 'Foreign Caregiver Pregnancy Policies in Various Countries' claiming that migrant workers in Japan and Hong Kong must leave to give birth, are both erroneous.
The Ministry of Labor explained that if legal migrant workers are enrolled in labor insurance, they can claim maternity benefits according to the law. However, there is absolutely no policy for 'pregnant migrant workers receiving NT$39,000 monthly, and their children receiving NT$1.72 million by age 6'; this is a rumor and not factual.
The Ministry of Labor also emphasized that the daily placement fee of NT$500 is only allocated to 'legally registered placement units' to cover necessary expenses during the placement period, when an employer finds it difficult to properly care for or manage a migrant worker and the local government assesses a need for migrant worker placement. It is not issued directly to individual migrant workers.
The Ministry of Labor stated that the aforementioned placement period is generally two months. In special circumstances, such as occupational accidents, litigation disputes, serious illnesses, or criminal victimization, it can be extended once, for a maximum of two months. There are also regulations stating that the placement period cannot exceed the employment permit period.
Regarding the central government's plan to expand birth subsidies to NT$100,000 starting in 2026, the Ministry of Labor stated that this is limited to Taiwanese citizens and foreign spouses who have Taiwanese children; foreign migrant workers are not eligible to claim it.
Secondly, concerning the 'Foreign Caregiver Pregnancy Policies in Various Countries' image claiming that migrant workers in Japan and Hong Kong must leave to give birth, the Ministry of Labor also clarified that this is a false message. Hong Kong's 'Employment Ordinance' explicitly prohibits employers from dismissing foreign domestic helpers due to pregnancy. If they need to give birth in Hong Kong, they can apply to the Immigration Department for an extension of stay. Migrant workers only need to leave within two weeks after their contract expires or is mutually terminated.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Labor also stated that in Japan, employers are not allowed to dismiss migrant workers, force them to return home, or treat them unfavorably due to pregnancy or childbirth. Japanese migrant workers are also entitled to 6 weeks of prenatal leave, 8 weeks of postnatal leave, and up to 1 year of parental leave.
The Ministry of Labor added that South Korea also stipulates that foreign migrant workers enjoy the same protections under the Equal Employment Opportunity Act for Men and Women as domestic workers, and employers are absolutely prohibited from dismissing workers due to pregnancy or childbirth.
The Ministry of Labor stressed that Taiwan's Act of Gender Equality in Employment protects the rights of all workers, and employers are prohibited from dismissing workers due to pregnancy, aligning with the regulations in Japan, South Korea, and Hong Kong. (Edited by Lee Hsi-chang) 1150429
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(Central News Agency reporter Wu Hsin-yun, Taipei, 29th) Recent online rumors in Taiwan circulating include claims like 'pregnant migrant workers receive NT$39,000 monthly' and 'migrant workers in Japan and Hong Kong must leave to give birth if pregnant.' The Ministry of Labor today clarified that both are false messages, noting that Japan, Hong Kong, and South Korea all prohibit employers from dismissing foreign domestic helpers due to pregnancy.
The Ministry of Labor issued a press release today stating that recent online rumors of 'pregnant migrant workers receiving NT$39,000 monthly, and their children receiving NT$1.72 million by age 6,' as well as an image titled 'Foreign Caregiver Pregnancy Policies in Various Countries' claiming that migrant workers in Japan and Hong Kong must leave to give birth, are both erroneous.
The Ministry of Labor explained that if legal migrant workers are enrolled in labor insurance, they can claim maternity benefits according to the law. However, there is absolutely no policy for 'pregnant migrant workers receiving NT$39,000 monthly, and their children receiving NT$1.72 million by age 6'; this is a rumor and not factual.
The Ministry of Labor also emphasized that the daily placement fee of NT$500 is only allocated to 'legally registered placement units' to cover necessary expenses during the placement period, when an employer finds it difficult to properly care for or manage a migrant worker and the local government assesses a need for migrant worker placement. It is not issued directly to individual migrant workers.
The Ministry of Labor stated that the aforementioned placement period is generally two months. In special circumstances, such as occupational accidents, litigation disputes, serious illnesses, or criminal victimization, it can be extended once, for a maximum of two months. There are also regulations stating that the placement period cannot exceed the employment permit period.
Regarding the central government's plan to expand birth subsidies to NT$100,000 starting in 2026, the Ministry of Labor stated that this is limited to Taiwanese citizens and foreign spouses who have Taiwanese children; foreign migrant workers are not eligible to claim it.
Secondly, concerning the 'Foreign Caregiver Pregnancy Policies in Various Countries' image claiming that migrant workers in Japan and Hong Kong must leave to give birth, the Ministry of Labor also clarified that this is a false message. Hong Kong's 'Employment Ordinance' explicitly prohibits employers from dismissing foreign domestic helpers due to pregnancy. If they need to give birth in Hong Kong, they can apply to the Immigration Department for an extension of stay. Migrant workers only need to leave within two weeks after their contract expires or is mutually terminated.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Labor also stated that in Japan, employers are not allowed to dismiss migrant workers, force them to return home, or treat them unfavorably due to pregnancy or childbirth. Japanese migrant workers are also entitled to 6 weeks of prenatal leave, 8 weeks of postnatal leave, and up to 1 year of parental leave.
The Ministry of Labor added that South Korea also stipulates that foreign migrant workers enjoy the same protections under the Equal Employment Opportunity Act for Men and Women as domestic workers, and employers are absolutely prohibited from dismissing workers due to pregnancy or childbirth.
The Ministry of Labor stressed that Taiwan's Act of Gender Equality in Employment protects the rights of all workers, and employers are prohibited from dismissing workers due to pregnancy, aligning with the regulations in Japan, South Korea, and Hong Kong. (Edited by Lee Hsi-chang) 1150429
Choose to stand with facts. Every sponsorship you make is a force for protecting press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency 'First-hand News' APP to stay updated with the latest news.
Without authorization, the text, images, and audio/video on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and utilized.