Migrant Worker Employer Groups Protest on Labor Day, Calling for Abolition of Replacement Waiting Periods

On International Labor Day, employer groups suffering from the disappearance of migrant workers took to the streets to voice their anger. They pointed out that Taiwan''s long-term care capacity is insufficient and that when migrant workers abscond, employers face waiting periods for replacements, creating care gaps. They demanded the abolition of these waiting periods and the implementation of mandatory security deposits for migrant workers. The ''Alliance to Abolish the Waiting Period,'' composed of long-term care household employers, held a press conference in front of the Ministry of Education with four key demands: complete abolition of the ''replacement waiting period,'' abolition of the ''Employment Stability Fee,'' mandatory ''prepaid airfare deposits,'' and the abolition of ''one-stop orientation.'' Convener Lin Bing-yang stated that families pay significant costs to hire migrant workers, with monthly expenses reaching up to NT0,000. He noted that while costs have risen, the quality of care has declined. TSU Chairperson Chou Ni-an added that government management failures have led to migrant workers'' rights superseding those of employers, particularly regarding access to health and labor insurance. The alliance urged the government to amend the Employment Service Act to allow immediate replacement when a worker goes missing or absconds, rather than punishing families through administrative delays. They also called for a mandatory insurance or deposit system for airfare to end the situation where employers pay for the deportation of workers who violate the law. The Ministry of Labor stated it would not respond at this time.