CLA to impose maximum fine on illegal hiring

This article was published by the Taiwan Headlines on March 21, 2006. It reports that according to the Council of Labor Affairs, all those who are found to have employed illegal foreign workers are now facing a maximum fine of NT$750,000. According to the Employment Service Act, the fine for employing illegal foreign workers currently ranges between NT$150,000 and NT$750,000.

Local governments may decide the exact figure on the basis of the circumstances involved. However, in reality, most employers are usually fined only the minimum NT$150,000. Statistics provided by the Council of Labor Affairs also show that the total number of illegal foreign workers has averaged around 20,000 in recent years.

The Council of Labor Affairs plans to discuss with county and city governments about implementation details of the new policy. As soon as illegal foreign workers are found, they will be repatriated and never allowed to come back to work in Taiwan.

Official statistics show that at present, illegal foreign workers mostly came from Vietnam (about 10,000), the Philippines (about 3,000) and Thailand (about 2,000).