(FWA 2025/10/14)Blue-collar migrant workers are subject to the old labor pension system. With some migrant workers now transitioning to mid-level technical personnel roles and with no limit on their working years in Taiwan, they have the opportunity to meet retirement requirements. The Ministry of Labor issued an official interpretation on the 14th, stating that if a migrant worker has been employed by the same employer for more than 10 years, their wages must be included in the calculation of the total contribution to the old-system pension reserve fund. To allow employers time to prepare, this regulation will take effect on April 1, 2026.
This change comes after the Control Yuan passed an investigation report in June 2025, urging the Ministry of Labor to comprehensively review the retirement system for blue-collar migrant workers in response to environmental changes and the relaxation of their permitted length of stay in Taiwan.
An official from the Ministry of Labor explained that every month, employers contribute 2%-15% of the total wages of workers under the old system to a pension reserve fund. They are also required to make a full contribution to this fund, held in a Bank of Taiwan account, before the end of March each year. The new interpretation clarifies that migrant workers who have not worked for the same employer for more than 10 years do not need to be included in this calculation.
In other words, if a migrant worker‘s tenure with the same employer exceeds 10 years, their wages must be included in the pension reserve fund calculation. This is because these workers may transition to mid-level technical personnel and become eligible for retirement, so employers must prepare in advance.
The official emphasized that the new regulation will be effective from April 1, 2026. There will be an advocacy period to raise awareness, and employers are advised to review their situations to avoid penalties once the rule is enacted.
