After 16 Years in Taiwan, Veteran Thai Migrant Worker Becomes Key Manager at Die-Casting Factory

(CNA, Tainan, May 20, by reporter Yang Ssu-jui) Sarakan Benjarong, a 35-year-old Thai migrant worker, started as a machine operator at a die-casting factory and has become a key manager thanks to his recognized work ethic and capabilities. He has since been re-designated as 'intermediate skilled technical personnel,' allowing him to continue his development in Taiwan without being subject to term limits. Benjarong told a CNA reporter that he came to Taiwan alone at the age of 19 to work, starting as a machine operator at Yeh Hsin Industrial Co., Ltd. in Tainan's Rende District. At the time, the language barrier made both work and life challenging. He often worried about misunderstanding instructions and making mistakes, and even considered returning home. However, thinking of his family and his future, he decided to persevere. Benjarong began teaching himself Chinese in his spare time, starting with books and then using the internet to gradually improve his listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. His work situation improved as he became able to independently read Chinese operational procedures. Yeh San-jung, a manager in Yeh Hsin Industrial's administration department, stated that Benjarong's diligent and proactive attitude, combined with his spirit of continuous improvement and company training, made him a crucial communication bridge between the company and other Thai workers. Six years after arriving in Taiwan, he was promoted to high-pressure die-casting team leader, responsible for site management and training new employees, earning high praise for his performance. Yeh pointed out that with the Ministry of Labor's promotion of the 'Long-Term Retention of Migrant Workers Program,' the company wanted to retain excellent talent familiar with production lines and management. They assisted Benjarong in successfully transitioning to intermediate skilled technical personnel in 2023, allowing him to stay in Taiwan indefinitely. The company now has a total of four migrant workers who have successfully made this transition, contributing to the company's stable development and skill succession. Benjarong expressed his gratitude to the company for providing a good working environment and living support over the years, which allowed him to work with peace of mind. Now that he has successfully transitioned to intermediate skilled technical personnel, his future plans are more stable, and he hopes to continue using his expertise in his role. Liu Pang-tung, Director-General of the Yunlin-Chiayi-Tainan Regional Branch of the Workforce Development Agency, Ministry of Labor, noted that the 'Long-Term Retention of Migrant Workers Program' allows qualified senior migrant workers and overseas Chinese students to apply for re-designation as foreign technical personnel. In addition to being exempt from work-year limits, employers are exempt from paying employment stability fees, and the original migrant worker quota can be retained for new hires. This allows excellent talent to continue developing in Taiwan while helping businesses stabilize their workforce and increase retention flexibility.