Good news to Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who wish to work longer in Taiwan!

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) announced that Taiwan parliament has amended the provision of Taiwan Employment Service Act extending the previous cumulative stay limit of nine years for foreign workers to 12 years.

The extension will benefit Filipino workers in Taiwan mostly caretakers, domestic workers, factory workers, nursing aides and fishermen.

“The extension of stay as approved by Taiwan’s legislative branch provides a reprieve to our OFWs whose work in Taiwan are ending but whose services is still desired by their employers,” said DOLE secretary Rosalinda Baldoz.

According to Labor Attache to Taipei Reydeluz Conferido, Taiwan’s Council for Labor Affairs has received petitions from employers and workers, particularly from the household sector, who were affected by the limitations since training and adjustment workers require longer time.

“The CLA also said extending the term will shorten the turn over time that could lessen labor disputes,” says Conferido.

Moreover, Conferdio added hat the extension will not result to an increase in foreign workers presently employed in Taiwan since the policies for employing foreign workers have not been eased.

“It will also not affect the employment opportunities for Taiwanese workers,” Conferido reported.

The labor attaché also reported to the labor and employment chief that the CLA had reduced the penalty for late payment to the Employment Stability Fund from one percent to 0.3 percent to ease the financial burden of Taiwanese employers.

Under the Employment Stabilization Fund, Taiwanese employers of foreign workers must pay a monthly “employment stabilization fee” of between NT$600 and NT$10,000 per month to the Bureau of Employment and Vocational Training of the Council for Labor Affairs. The fund is used to finance vocational training, job creation projects, employment services, and subsidized activities for the unemployed.