In many places across Taiwan, there are ongoing infrastructure projects, including commercial buildings, residential communities, and mixed-use developments. Because of this, there is constantly a high demand for construction workers, including skilled OFWs.
Indeed, there are plenty of job opportunities in the country’s construction sector, and skilled workers from the Philippines can look forward to having competitive salaries and benefits. Read on to learn more about getting a construction worker job in Taiwan!
How to Apply for Work as a Construction Worker in Taiwan
If you are interested in becoming a construction worker in Taiwan, then you’ve come to the right place! In this guide, we’ll be discussing the qualifications, required documents, steps, and other information about working in the country’s construction industry.
Job Description
The construction industry requires a wide range of skilled workers, including: carpenters, steel installers, masons, concrete workers, welder, pipe fitters, riggers, tower crane operators, and more. Together, they are able to construct buildings, houses, and other infrastructure that can last for a long, long time!
Although each worker has a specific role to perform, here are some general tasks that construction workers should be able to do:
- Reading and understanding construction plans and blueprints;
- Preparing the construction site by clearing, leveling the ground, and building scaffolding;
- Mixing and pouring concrete, or laying bricks;
- Performing carpentry, masonry, painting, and other construction tasks;
- Operating equipment and machinery such as cranes and bulldozers;
- Coordinating with other construction workers to ensure a smooth and efficient workflow; and
- Adhering to safety regulations and being aware of safety hazards at all times.
Salary and Benefits
Depending on their specific skills and competencies, the typical salary of construction workers in Taiwan ranges from PHP 35,000 to PHP 45,000 per month. Of course, those with more experience, especially supervisors and foremen, are offered higher salaries.
As for the benefits package, construction workers can expect to receive the following: transportation allowance, housing allowance, meal allowance, health insurance, paid leaves, and overtime pay.
Qualifications
Generally, in order to quality for a construction worker job in Taiwan, applicants must:
- Be 21 to 45 years old;
- Have a minimum of 2 years work experience in the construction industry;
- Have a valid work visa for Taiwan;
- Be physically fit and able to lift heavy materials; and
- Know how to read and interpret construction plans and blueprints.
Notably, some recruitment agencies and employers have specific requirements for applicants (e.g. height requirement, weight requirement, no tattoos, etc.), so it’s important to inquire with your agency in the Philippines before submitting an application.
Requirements
When applying as a construction worker in Taiwan, be sure to prepare the following documents:
- Passport (valid for at least 6 months from the date of departure);
- Employer Contract signed by employer and employee;
- Medical Certificate (after health exam in an accredited clinic);
- Work Visa issued by the Taiwan Economic and Cultural Office (TECO);
- Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC);
- Certificate from Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA);
- Certificate from Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS);
- Clearance from National Bureau of Investigation (NBI); and
- Proof of active memberships with Pag-IBIG, PhilHealth, and Social Security System (SSS).
Moreover, additional documents may be required by the recruitment agency or employer. These may include:
- Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Birth Certificate;
- PSA Marriage Certificate (if married); and
- Government-issued IDS such as National ID, TIN ID, UMID, or Voter’s ID.
Procedure
Just like in other countries, applying for a construction worker job in Taiwan involves coordinating with an accredited recruitment agency. Here are the steps involved in the process:
Finding a Job
Usually, recruitment agencies announce job posting on their official websites and social media channels. Browse these listings to see if there’s a vacancy that you can apply for.
In some cases, there are companies that engage in direct hiring of workers, especially if the applicant is already based in Taiwan. Still, it is more common for job seekers to get hired through an agency.
Preparing Essential Documents
Once you’ve begun coordinating with a recruitment agency, you can start preparing the requirements, such as your passport, TESDA certificate, and other documents. The agency will check and verify your application before forwarding it to the employer in Taiwan.
Attending Interviews
Of course, part of the job application process are interviews — first by the recruitment agency, then most likely a representative from the hiring company. Make sure to dress up properly and prepare to answer questions regarding your skills and job experience.
When you get hired, you’ll be asked to sign an employment contract, which will be authenticated by the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO), the Philippines’ representative office in Taiwan.
Getting a Work Permit and Visa
The next step would be getting a work permit and visa — processes that are handled mainly by your employer. The employer will be the one to acquire your work permit. When you arrive in Taiwan, the employer will also arrange for you to get a medical test, as part of the requirements for getting a work visa in the country.
Medical tests are typically conducted in hospitals that are accredited by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) of the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) in Taiwan. After some time, you will also have to acquire an Alien Resident Certificate (ARC), a document issued to foreign residents based in Taiwan.
Tips and Reminders
Aside from preparing documents and going through the necessary procedures, you also need to prepare for living abroad — away from your family and your comfort zone. Here are some tips to help you adjust to living and working in Taiwan:
- Learn basic Mandarin. You don’t have to be super fluent, but you can start by learning basic greeting and expressions in Mandarin, the country’s official language. This can help you communicate better with co-workers and supervisors.
- Go to work on time. Punctuality is a trait that’s expected in the Taiwanese workplace. Strive to be on time for work, always!
- Establish good working relationships. In the construction industry, you will always be part of a team — working towards the same goal. So make sure that you establish positive working relationships with your teammates, and always be respectful of others.
- Be familiar with safety protocols and regulations. Safety rules and protocols are an important part of construction projects. For your own safety and those of your co-workers, be sure to know and to abide by these regulations at all times.
- Be respectful of local customs. Just like us Filipinos, the Taiwanese have their own beliefs, customs, and practices related to their history, religion, and culture. These may be different from ours, yet we should always be respectful to maintain good relationships.
Thanks to the booming construction industry in Taiwan, there’s no shortage of job opportunities for construction workers. If you are planning to apply for a job here soon, we certainly hope that the above guide has been helpful!
After landing a job, another matter you should know about is insurance. Read this article to learn more about the labor insurance system for Filipinos and other foreign workers in Taiwan.