Immigration reports: More than 82000 migrant workers unaccounted …

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10 April, 2023
Michelle Chiang

Immigration reports: More than 82,000 migrant workers unaccounted for

To avoid misunderstandings caused by cultural and language barriers, the Pingtung County Government holds seminars on understanding Southeast Asian culture. (Photo: Central News Agency)

More than 82,000 migrant workers in Taiwan are unaccounted for. Immigration Director Chung Ching-kun (???) reported this statistic at an Internal Affairs Committee meeting on Monday.

The report came in response to police concerns about recent increases in smuggling, mafia groups, and fraud cases. Chung says there are many possible reasons for the 82,000 missing persons, such as high agency fees, which drive workers to go underground. He says authorities have investigated more than 7,600 missing migrant workers so far.

The ministry has proposed several prevention strategies for illegal migrant conduct, including use of multilingual talents, strengthening network patrols, and information collection. Chung adds that additional revisions to human trafficking laws will increase penalties for smuggling and other criminal behavior. Lawmaker Sandy Yu (???) says Taiwan's immigration policies need revision due to the high number of long-term elderly care and agricultural workers.

Interior Minister Lin Yu-chang (???) adds that the concept of immigrant workers must change in Taiwan because of the labor shortage.

He says the international labor force is an essential part of Taiwan's human resources.