Unless you’ve applied through a “government to government” hiring process, most likely you were hired by your employer through a recruitment agency in the Philippines, and also a “broker” in Taiwan.
To this day, Taiwan has a “brokerage” system wherein an agency or individual serves as middlemen between companies, recruitment agencies, and job seekers. How do they benefit employers and employees? Read on to know more about Taiwan brokers!
What are Taiwan Brokers?
As mentioned earlier, a Taiwan broker is an agency or individual that serves as a “middleman” between a job applicant, recruitment agency, and the employer. The broker’s main goal is to help facilitate a successful hiring, while also ensuring the safety and smooth “adjustment” of the foreign worker in the country.
Based on regulations set by the Taiwan’s Ministry of Labor (MOL), brokers are allowed to charge a “broker service fee” from successfully hired foreign workers. This fee amounts to a maximum of TWD 1,800 a month for the first year; TWD 1,700 a month during the second year; and TWD 1,500 a month on the third year onwards.
Aside from the broker service fee, foreign workers also have to pay for mandatory health insurance and labor insurance.
Roles of Taiwan Brokers
What exactly does a broker do, and how is the broker service fee used? Here is a list of roles and responsibilities of brokers:
Matching Foreign Workers with Employers
The broker coordinates with recruitment agencies in the Philippines in finding the best and qualified workers for Taiwanese employers, which include farms, factories, hospitals, households, and so on.
Processing Documents and Work Permits
To help ensure a smooth hiring process, the broker helps job seekers and agencies with applying for work permits, processing visas, facilitating medical exams, and other requirements.
Providing Airport Service and Orientation
When foreign workers arrive in Taiwan, it is usually the broker who meets them at the airport, before bringing them to the workplace or dormitory. The broker also provides them with a brief orientation about living and working in Taiwan.
Providing Accommodation and Basic Needs
In some cases, the broker is the one who looks for and provides accommodation for the foreign workers. Typically, housing also includes meals and basic utilities (e.g. electricity, water, Internet), depending on the job contract and arrangements.
Translating and Interpreting for Workers
Most Taiwanese documents are in Mandarin; this poses a language barrier for foreign workers. In these cases, the broker usually acts as a translator when filling up the worker’s Alien Residence Certificate (ARC) and other important government documents.
When there’s a dispute between the employer and foreign worker, the broker could also serve as a translator and interpreter.
Monitoring and Mediating Work Issues
Speaking of disputes, the broker can also serve as a “mediator” between employers and foreign workers, especially when there are conflicts related to salaries, working hours, and other matters.
Renewing or Transferring Contracts
In case the foreign worker’s contract ends early, or if the employer is no longer able to provide a job, the broker can help a new employer and assist with the renewal or transfer of contracts.
Providing Repatriation Assistance
When the foreign worker’s contract ends, or in case there’s an emergency, the broker assists with the process of repatriating or returning the worker to his/her home country.
As you can see, Taiwan brokers play a significant role that benefits both the employers and their employees. They are here to make the hiring process easier for everyone involved, while also helping to ensure that foreign workers are able to adapt to living in the country.
However, there have been cases of “unscrupulous” brokers who take advantage of foreign workers, collecting excessive fees and keeping them in debt. If this is the case, foreign workers are urged to report them to the 1955 Hotline or other labor authorities.