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Protestors demand end to exploitation by labour brokers
Hundreds of migrant workers took to the streets of Taipei demanding the government abolish the broker system and streamline direct hiring.
Participants accused brokers of engaging in predatory practices like charging exorbitant fees for their services.
The Taiwan International Workers Association says migrant workers have to pay between NT$80,000 and NT$200,000 to an employment broker in their home country before they can come to Taiwan. Once here, migrant workers must then pay "service fees" of up to NT$60,000 over the course of a three-year contract even if no actual services are provided.
The association says many government-run employment centres offer little help in foreign languages. One consequence: migrant workers frequently have no choice but to pay brokers illegally inflated fees for job-matching services.
The Workforce Development Agency has said the government will provide initiatives to improve the management and oversight of employment brokers. However, it hasn't specified either how or when such steps will be taken.
