Taiwan wants to create direct hire arrangement for Filipino workers

Taiwan is considering introducing a direct hire arrangement for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) said.

TECO Philippines Representative Wallace Minn-Gan Chow disclosed the plan at a reception in Taguig City on Thursday evening, saying it is among the measures TECO is considering to enhance its services and protection for Filipinos planning to work in Taiwan.

“Earlier this year, my office, TECO, established a labor division to provide better and more accessible services to Filipino migrant workers going to Taiwan. This will include the introduction of direct hire arrangements in the future,” he said.

“Through this mechanism, we aim to lower the expense for Filipino workers going to Taiwan, enhance their protection, and simultaneously expedite recruitment for Taiwanese companies.”

Chow said the Philippines stands as Taiwan’s third largest source of migrant workers, with more than 191,000 OFWs currently employed in various companies there, mostly steel factories.

Beyond labor, he said, Taiwan and the Philippines could further deepen their partnership in semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and advanced manufacturing, among others.

“Taiwan and the Philippines have highly complementary strengths and can greatly benefit from working together. Taiwan can bring high technology, advanced manufacturing, and engineering capabilities, as well as sophisticated and comprehensive industry supply chain,” he said.

“The Philippines, meanwhile, has an abundant young and talented workforce, as well as land and energy resources. Together, we have enormous potential for co-prosperity.”

Taiwan’s economy is forecast to grow 11.05 percent in 2026, its fastest pace in 39 years, as it rides on the strong demand for AI and emerging technologies.

Chow noted that more than 90 percent of the world's most advanced chips are made in Taiwan, and more than 90 percent of AI servers are produced and assembled by Taiwanese suppliers, making Taiwan a hub for global AI infrastructure.

-Philippine News Agency