The first time I came to Taiwan for work, I thought the hardest part would be the language barrier. But as the months passed, I realized what truly challenged many Filipino workers was something deeper and more hidden. Exploitation here does not always look dramatic. It often appears in quiet ways: small deductions that don’t make sense, sudden job changes, missing overtime pay, or brokers telling you that moving to a better employer is “not allowed.”
After meeting fellow OFWs from factories, caregiving, and fishing sectors, I saw a pattern. The stories were never exactly the same, but the pain points were. Most of the exploitation we face in Taiwan follows a predictable cycle. And unless you know what the red flags look like from the start, it is easy to get trapped.
Here is what I’ve learned, and what every Filipino worker should understand before and after entering Taiwan’s workforce.
Exploitation Is Not One Event. It Is a Pattern.
One thing I wish someone had told me early on is this: exploitation rarely happens in a single moment. Instead, it builds up step-by-step.
You pay high recruitment fees back home. You arrive expecting one job and end up doing another. Your overtime turns into endless hours. You ask your broker about a complaint, but you’re told to “wait” or “just accept it.” Before you know it, the situation feels normal, even though it shouldn’t be.
Investigations by NGOs and media also show the same pattern. Some workers even arrived legally through DMW-accredited agencies but still ended up facing substitution, withheld passports, or wage violations. In sectors like fishing and domestic work, the risks are even higher.
The Most Common Forms of Exploitation in Taiwan
Based on real OFW experiences and published reports, these five issues appear again and again across factory, caregiving, and fishing jobs.
1. Contract Substitution
This is the most common story I hear from Filipinos. The job on paper looks safe and clean. But when you arrive, you get assigned to a different task, sometimes with lower pay or harsher conditions.
Examples include:
- Factory workers moved from light assembly to chemical handling
- Caregivers suddenly assigned to heavy lifting work
- Workers promised day shifts but forced into night rotations
If the job title, workload, or pay is different from your original contract, take note of dates and tasks immediately.
2. Wage Theft and Misclassification
Wage theft can be subtle. It can look like:
- Missing overtime pay
- Lower hourly rate than stated
- Salary deductions without explanation
- Misclassified job roles
- Illegal “broker service charges”
One friend worked 12-hour shifts but received pay slips that never matched actual hours. When she complained, she was told: “This is the system.” It wasn’t.
3. Excessive Recruitment and On-Site Fees
Some OFWs arrive already in debt due to high placement and broker fees. Then more fees appear later:
- Monthly broker fees with no receipts
- Housing deductions higher than legal rates
- “Processing fees” not listed in the contract
These create debt bondage, making it hard to leave abusive employers.
4. Restricted Mobility and Withheld Documents
Some employers or brokers hold workers’ passports or ARC cards. Others discourage transfers by making threats. Without documents, workers feel powerless.
This is illegal. You have the right to access and hold your own identification at all times.
5. Sector-Specific Risks
Every sector has its own unique vulnerabilities.
Fishing:
- Signs of forced labor
- Isolation on vessels
- Long months without shore access
- Delayed wages
Factories:
- Long hours
- Discrimination
- Unsafe workloads
Caregiving and domestic work:
- No full statutory protections
- Undefined work hours
- Emotional and physical pressure
These issues don’t happen to everyone, but they are well-documented and important to recognize.
Why Guidance and Agencies Sometimes Miss These Problems
Many OFWs ask: “If these issues are known, why are they still happening?”
From experience and research, here are the main reasons:
- Fragmented Responsibility
Recruitment involves:
- PH agencies
- Taiwan brokers
- Employers
- Buyers or supply chains
With so many layers, it is easy for accountability to disappear.
- Regulatory Gaps and Limited Enforcement
Taiwan has labor laws, but inspections and enforcement vary. Remote sectors like distant-water fishing are harder to monitor. Informal caregiving setups also slip through cracks.
- Fees Have Been Normalized
Long-standing practices around deductions and charges have become “normal.” Some OFWs even think these fees are required, when they are not.
How OFWs Can Protect Themselves
These steps have helped me and many others avoid deeper exploitation.
- Keep Originals and Copies
Store:
- Contracts
- Payslips
- Fees/receipts
- Medical and visa documents
Take photos of everything.
- Compare Promised vs Actual Job
Check if:
- The job title changed
- Salary differs
- Working hours match
- Overtime rules follow the law
Document mismatches immediately.
- Push Back on Illegal Deductions
Ask for written explanations. Track all deductions and keep receipts.
- Use Official Help Channels Early
Taiwan offers:
- 1955 Labor Hotline
- Service centers for migrant workers
- Local labor bureau offices
From the Philippines, DMW/POEA and legal clinics can help pursue illegal recruitment or refund claims.
- Reach Out to NGO Support
Groups in Taiwan can help with:
- Filing complaints
- Legal support
- Shelter or relocation
- Evidence gathering
Sometimes you need a third party to move your case forward.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is contract substitution illegal in Taiwan?
Yes. The job you perform must match the job title and conditions on your approved contract. - Can employers hold your passport or ARC?
No. You have the right to keep your documents at all times. - What if my overtime pay is lower than expected?
Check the legal rate under Taiwan’s Labor Standards Act. If the rate is wrong, you can report it to the 1955 hotline or a labor bureau. - Are monthly broker fees required?
Some fees are legal, but they must match the contract and come with receipts. Excessive fees can be reported. - Can I change employers in Taiwan?
Yes, but the rules vary by sector. If the employer is abusive, you may qualify for a transfer.