Due to shortage of skilled workers, a new law permits some 35, 000 OFWs to permanently reside in Taiwan, according to an official on Sunday, Feb. 27.
Taiwanese government did not specify the guidelines of the new law, however, the initial rules state that a migrant worker who has worked in Taiwan for six years might petition to be reclassified as an intermediate skilled worker.
After being reclassified, the worker must serve for another 5 years before applying for permanent residency, which may take up to 11 years, said Philippine labor attaché in Taiwan Cesar Chavez. The new law is set to be implemented in April; Chavez added.
Around 35,000 Filipinos employed in Taiwan have worked for more than six years, making them eligible for reclassification. The employers will be the one to seek for reclassification of their employees, he said.
According to Chavez, 85% of OFWs in Taiwan work in the manufacturing business, with the remaining 85% working as domestic workers. Most OFWs stay in Taiwan for 12 to 14 years.
“Para sa manufacturing workers, dapat ay not less than 33,000 NT. Doon naman sa mga domestic at caregivers na nasa long term care homes, dapat 29,000 NT. Yung regular salary, hindi bababa d’yan. At para sa mga live-in, yung mga nasa bahay na caretaker at domestic worker caregivers, dapat tumatanggap sila ng regular salary na NT24,000.”
This is from an interview where he points out the workers’ salary as a part of the conditions. They must also have a working knowledge of the Chinese language and professional skills training certificates from government-approved training courses.
Taking everything into account, workers will be permitted to bring their families to the island once they have been granted permanent residency.
Source: ABS-CBN News
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