Taiwan to recruit Foreign Technical Workers for Hospitality sector

(FWA 2025/10/31)Taiwan’s Executive Yuan approved the Ministry of Labor’s “Cross-Border Workforce Enhancement Plan” on the 30th, which includes opening the hospitality industry to foreign technical workers through a country-to-country direct introduction model. According to a previous government survey, the labor shortage in the hospitality industry is approximately 6,600 people. The foreign technical workers to be introduced this time will have a salary threshold of NT$32,000, must achieve TOCFL (Test of Chinese as a Foreign Language) A2 or higher, and Filipino workers will be prioritized for recruitment.

Under the new plan, for every one local worker an employer gives a raise of NT$2,000, the employer can hire one foreign technical worker. The total number hired cannot exceed 10% of the company’s total number of employees insured under the labor insurance program. The Ministry of Labor will establish overseas bases to facilitate direct recruitment.

The scope of work for foreign technical workers includes housekeeping, cleaning, reservations, and guest reception within the lodging establishment’s premises.

In recent years, the Taiwan government has already tried to improve the labor shortage in the hospitality industry through various methods. This includes subsidizing companies for new housekeeping and cleaning staff, making it easier for overseas Chinese and foreign students who study and graduate in Taiwan to enter related industries as management personnel or housekeeping/cleaning technical staff. At the same time, it has also extended the internship duration for foreign university students in Taiwanese hotels and relaxed the range of eligible fields of study.

In the new plan set to launch next year, the salary threshold for foreign technical workers in the hospitality industry is NT$32,000, requiring TOCFL A2 proficiency and relevant skill qualifications. Officials also hope that students who have previously studied or interned in Taiwan will have the opportunity to transition into this new force of foreign technical workers.