In the light of the economic slump being experienced in Taiwan, its government cannot afford to totally close its doors on overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). In the effort to improve its economy, major infrastructure projects was launched by the Taiwan government, hence creating the need to hire more foreign workers.
Its government allotted 500 billion Taiwan dollars for infrastructure projects that would run from 2009 to 2010. However, the number of job openings available for OFWs in Taiwan next year may be less than the number of vacancies before the recession.
The secretary general of Taiwan’s Council for Economic Planning and Development, York Liao said that for the infrastructure projects set to start in 2009, migrant workers would be hired even as the unemployment rate in Taiwan continue to rise. At present, Taiwan’s unemployment rate is 4 percent and it is expected to rise to 4.5 percent in 2009.
Liao said, “There are currently around 300,000 foreign workers in export-oriented Taiwan. The government will maintain that rate next year. It is also likely that there will be a slight increase in the acceptance of migrant workers.”
The secretary general explained, “The government will try to maintain the 300,000 level. It's pretty hard for the government to allow much more foreign workers. It will probably include some more, but not a lot.”
Companies in Taiwan are also encouraged by its government to prioritize locals in hiring by implementing a law that require employers to hire more Taiwanese. To be allowed to hire migrant workers, employers in Taiwan must have a minimum investment amount of 50 million Taiwanese dollars. Employers who recruit foreign workers are also required to hire locals.
The Philippine government is currently negotiating with Taiwan so that employment opportunities will be available for OFWs in Taiwan next year. Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) labor affairs director in Taipei, Rodolfo Sabulao said that the infrastructure projects would benefit OFWs. He also said that new employment opportunities would offset the lost of vacancies in the export sector. According to MECO, about 2,000 OFWs lost their jobs because of the financial crisis.
Sabulao said, “These are 12 major projects to stimulate the economy and provide instant employment to the labor force. We are talking to the Taiwanese government because these infrastructure projects need unskilled workers.”
Many manufacturing and semiconductor companies in Taiwan closed down because of the reduced order from their major markets--Europe and America. Employees are encouraged by their employers to take long vacations without pay. They will be called again to work when order starts coming again.
“It's good because at least you don't lose your job. When the order comes back, they will go back to work. Taiwanese firms are also reluctant to retrench workers because it looks bad for their business,” Liao said.
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