by Xin Yage

The government of Taiwan sets up an online Job Bank to link labour demand and supply. This way, it hopes to stop illegal immigration and restrain the underground job market, which is unfair and dangerous for everyone.

Taipei (AsiaNews) - In order to encourage legal immigration and put a stop to worker exploitation, the Taiwanese government has set up a web portal that links labour demand and supply. Since a 'Job Bank' was established five months, 950 immigrants have found regular paying jobs that they would have otherwise searched for through countless applications or through sometimes illegal means.

Last year, because of numerous complaints with respect to illegal workers and unpaid overtime imposed on new workers, new ideas have come to the fore and now allow full transparency from the first day newcomers arrive in Taiwan.

The National Immigration Agency (内政部 入 出国 及 移民 署) has worked hard to streamline hiring and facilitate employee recruitment. This way, red tape has been cut, and the hiring process has been made more transparent. Less time and energy are wasted by those seeking legal employment, which enriches and improves society as a whole. For this, the internet is a great tool for job seekers, helping newcomers find employment.

Although some job search resources were already available online for both employers and people looking for work, the new official portal improves things, allowing applicants to register online.

Last January, the National Immigration Agency and Job Bank staff agreed to set up '1111 Job bank' to help job seekers get in touch with potential employers. Since March (when the portal began operating), 244 employers have advertised on the site and more than 3,000 immigrants have registered as members.

Jobs in high demand are found in the food and catering business, followed by the retail sector (salespersons), and warehousing. Most registered applicants are from mainland China (40 per cent), Vietnam (5 per cent), and Malaysia (4 per cent).

A spokesperson for the Immigration Agency said that people have access to the Job Bank website from their own country and determine their real chances of finding employment in Taiwan even before they apply for a work visa. This makes it easier for them to decide whether to move or not to the island.

If job applicants are already in the country, they will be contacted based on their applications and the criteria clearly laid out on the website. Notwithstanding the confidentiality of personal data, what employers and job applicants can offer is made clear, which avoids unnecessary misunderstandings.

The Immigration Agency calls on companies and new immigrants to register, so that their rights and obligations are respected and proper employment contracts are signed. Thus, the rights of immigrants can be respected, allowing them to make an increasingly important contribution to Taiwanese society and economy.

• taiwan
• immigration
• web
• portal
• exploitation
• labour
• market