Manufacturing and Fishing Migrant Worker Zero-Fee Impacts Employers, Ministry of Labor Studies Countermeasures
Taiwan's Ministry of Labor announced plans to implement a 'zero-fee' policy for migrant workers in manufacturing and fishing within three years, following the signing of the Taiwan-US Trade Agreement. This aims to reduce employers' burdens and migrant worker abscondment by not requiring upfront lump-sum payments.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 7, 2026 at 17:31
- 🔍 Collected: May 7, 2026 at 18:02 (31 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 7, 2026 at 18:12 (10 min after Collected)
Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Wu Hsin-yun, Taipei, 7th) Following the signing of the Taiwan-US Equivalency Trade Agreement, the Ministry of Labor will implement a 'zero-fee' policy for migrant workers in manufacturing and fishing within three years. Vice Minister of Labor Chen Ming-jen stated today that employers will not be required to pay a lump sum upfront at the beginning of employment, and that the Ministry is studying complementary mechanisms with relevant ministries and agencies.
The Taiwan-US Equivalency Trade Agreement (ART) includes a consensus on labor rights protection, comprising a ban on charging recruitment fees to manufacturing and fishing migrant workers within three years, and lowering the threshold for small and medium-sized enterprises to form labor unions.
Today, the Legislative Yuan's Social Welfare and Environmental Hygiene Committee invited the Ministry of Labor to report on its business overview and respond to interpellation. Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Yang Yao mentioned that many migrant worker employers recently protested against the implementation of the zero-fee policy, and that many offshore fishing employers are relatively disadvantaged economically. He asked if the Ministry of Labor had assessed the impact on employers or complementary measures after the implementation of the zero-fee policy.
Chen Ming-jen pointed out that Taiwan secured a three-year adjustment period in the Taiwan-US Equivalency Trade Agreement, and that employers are required to bear these costs during the employment period, not to make a one-time payment at the beginning of employment. If this requirement is met, it is also good for employers, as a major reason for migrant worker abscondment is bearing too much economic debt.
Chen Ming-jen stated that empirical evidence shows that if migrant workers do not bear economic debt, their motivation and reasons for abscondment will be greatly reduced, which is also more favorable for fishing boat owners employing migrant workers.
However, Chen Ming-jen admitted that this will indeed have an impact on offshore fishing, but they have fully discussed it with the Fisheries Agency of the Ministry of Agriculture. In the future, the fair recruitment fees from source countries should be as transparent as possible, and they are also trying to strengthen direct hiring channels. If direct hiring between countries is established, the recruitment costs borne by employers will be reduced.
Yang Yao further asked how to respond if employers pay the relevant fees during the contract period, but migrant workers abscond in the middle.
Chen Ming-jen stated that if fair recruitment is achieved, the probability of migrant worker abscondment will be greatly reduced. In the event of abscondment, they will consider comprehensive complementary and assistance measures with the Fisheries Agency. (Edited by Chang Ya-ching) 1150507
Stand with facts, every sponsorship is a force to protect press freedom.
Download CNA's "First-hand News" APP to get the latest news in real-time.
The text, images, and audio-visual content on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, publicly transmitted, or utilized without authorization.
(Central News Agency reporter Wu Hsin-yun, Taipei, 7th) Following the signing of the Taiwan-US Equivalency Trade Agreement, the Ministry of Labor will implement a 'zero-fee' policy for migrant workers in manufacturing and fishing within three years. Vice Minister of Labor Chen Ming-jen stated today that employers will not be required to pay a lump sum upfront at the beginning of employment, and that the Ministry is studying complementary mechanisms with relevant ministries and agencies.
The Taiwan-US Equivalency Trade Agreement (ART) includes a consensus on labor rights protection, comprising a ban on charging recruitment fees to manufacturing and fishing migrant workers within three years, and lowering the threshold for small and medium-sized enterprises to form labor unions.
Today, the Legislative Yuan's Social Welfare and Environmental Hygiene Committee invited the Ministry of Labor to report on its business overview and respond to interpellation. Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Yang Yao mentioned that many migrant worker employers recently protested against the implementation of the zero-fee policy, and that many offshore fishing employers are relatively disadvantaged economically. He asked if the Ministry of Labor had assessed the impact on employers or complementary measures after the implementation of the zero-fee policy.
Chen Ming-jen pointed out that Taiwan secured a three-year adjustment period in the Taiwan-US Equivalency Trade Agreement, and that employers are required to bear these costs during the employment period, not to make a one-time payment at the beginning of employment. If this requirement is met, it is also good for employers, as a major reason for migrant worker abscondment is bearing too much economic debt.
Chen Ming-jen stated that empirical evidence shows that if migrant workers do not bear economic debt, their motivation and reasons for abscondment will be greatly reduced, which is also more favorable for fishing boat owners employing migrant workers.
However, Chen Ming-jen admitted that this will indeed have an impact on offshore fishing, but they have fully discussed it with the Fisheries Agency of the Ministry of Agriculture. In the future, the fair recruitment fees from source countries should be as transparent as possible, and they are also trying to strengthen direct hiring channels. If direct hiring between countries is established, the recruitment costs borne by employers will be reduced.
Yang Yao further asked how to respond if employers pay the relevant fees during the contract period, but migrant workers abscond in the middle.
Chen Ming-jen stated that if fair recruitment is achieved, the probability of migrant worker abscondment will be greatly reduced. In the event of abscondment, they will consider comprehensive complementary and assistance measures with the Fisheries Agency. (Edited by Chang Ya-ching) 1150507
Stand with facts, every sponsorship is a force to protect press freedom.
Download CNA's "First-hand News" APP to get the latest news in real-time.
The text, images, and audio-visual content on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, publicly transmitted, or utilized without authorization.