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Taiwan Industry Federation Urges 14-Year Work Limit for Migrant Workers Amid Persistent Labor Shortages
Miscellaneous · Miscellaneous · cnyes · 2026-08-24
The Federation of Industries of Taiwan identifies labor shortages as the top industry concern for the third consecutive year, proposing policy reforms to address the crisis.
What Happened
Top Industry Concern: A survey of 161 industrial associations by the Federation of Industries of Taiwan reveals that labor shortages remain the primary challenge for local businesses, cited by 76.6% of respondents. This issue has topped the list of concerns for three consecutive years, alongside industrial transformation and energy policy, as companies navigate global economic restructuring.
Labor Policy Proposals: Federation Chairman Pan Chun-jung warned that Taiwan's aging society has turned labor shortages into a systemic crisis that threatens national stability. The organization is calling on the government to relax rigid quota systems and extend the maximum duration for migrant workers in Taiwan to 14 years to help alleviate the burden on domestic enterprises.
International Best Practices: To ensure a sustainable and diverse labor supply, the Federation suggests adopting strategies similar to those used by Japan and South Korea, including tapping into new labor markets with demographic dividends. Additionally, they proposed expanding the migrant worker outreach model for the construction sector to help mitigate project delays.
Energy and Strategic Outlook: Beyond labor issues, the 2026 policy white paper emphasizes the need for a stable and diversified energy supply to support industrial growth. The Federation urges the government to implement comprehensive reforms across labor, energy, and digital transformation to strengthen Taiwan's industrial resilience against geopolitical and environmental risks.