Title: The Struggles of Undocumented Migrant Workers in Taiwan: A Deep Dive into Bernard’s Story
This article is produced in collaboration with the Pulitzer Center.
Taichung City, Taiwan – Meet Bernard, a 45-year-old Filipino migrant worker who has become a silent figure in the bustling streets of Taiwan. As he makes his way to work, he carefully avoids eye contact and frequently adjusts his face mask to keep his identity obscure. To mask his accent, Bernard often speaks in a soft voice, and he turns down social invitations from fellow Filipinos, fearing that one of them might betray him to the authorities.
Bernard arrived in Taiwan in 2016 with a valid visa, working in one of the island’s many electronics factories. However, since June 2024, he has found himself among Taiwan’s increasing number of undocumented workers. Bernard attributes his situation to his broker, a private employment agent typically assigned to migrants. He claims that his broker attempted to confiscate his passport and pressured him to resign without receiving severance pay. His refusal to comply led to a breakdown in their relationship. "Brokers only reach out when they want payment or are trying to deceive you," Bernard, who requested to remain anonymous for safety reasons, explained.
The role of brokers in Taiwan’s labor market is significant and often exploitative. They take a portion of workers’ wages and hold considerable power over their job conditions and prospects, creating an environment ripe for abuse. After Bernard’s contract ended in 2022, his broker blacklisted him, complicating his ability to find work. In a desperate bid to support his daughter’s education back in the Philippines, Bernard chose to overstay his visa and accept various construction jobs. Today, he describes his life as feeling "like a bird in a cage." In public, he refrains from uttering the term "undocumented," opting instead for hand gestures to indicate his situation.
The Rising Tide of Undocumented Workers in Taiwan
Taiwan’s undocumented workforce has surged dramatically, with the Ministry of Labor reporting that the number of unaccounted migrants has doubled over the past four years, reaching approximately 90,000 as of January. Despite Taiwan’s reputation as one of the few liberal democracies in the region, many Southeast Asian migrants live in constant fear of deportation and lack access to essential social services.
The broker system in Taiwan was established in 1992 to streamline labor recruitment but has resulted in significant power imbalances. Brokers control various aspects of a migrant’s life, from living conditions and meals to employment contracts and access to public services. This level of control has led many workers to flee their jobs, with over a third of complaints made by migrants to the Ministry of Labor being broker-related.
As of January 2025, the largest group of undocumented migrants in Taiwan were Vietnamese, numbering 57,611, followed by Indonesians at 28,363, and Filipinos at 2,750. Joy Tajonera, a Catholic priest and director of the Ugnayan Center, a migrant shelter in Taichung, criticized the Taiwanese government for its lenient approach to the issue. "The system permits brokers to exploit migrants," Tajonera told Al Jazeera. "Employers often play innocent."
Brokers typically charge workers a monthly fee between $50 to $60, in addition to fees for job transfers, hospital insurance, and required documentation. Some brokers even impose age limits on job eligibility. Tajonera noted that while many undocumented workers could potentially earn more without brokers, they would lose all social protections and health insurance, forcing them to take desperate measures.
Government Response and Challenges Ahead
In response to the growing number of undocumented migrants, Taiwan’s Labor Ministry stated that the increase was partly due to disruptions in deportations during the pandemic. They have implemented various measures to improve conditions for migrant workers, including raising the minimum wage and conducting regular inspections of recruitment agencies. The ministry also seeks to enhance workers’ awareness of their legal rights and the risks associated with going missing.
However, the government has also raised fines for migrants caught overstaying their visas from $330 to $1,657, a move criticized by Lennon Ying-Da Wang, director of the public migrant shelter Serve the People Association. "Instead of addressing the root causes of why people flee, this approach only discourages them from seeking help," he remarked.
Wang highlighted the lack of protections for workers in the childcare and fisheries sectors, where many migrants earn below the minimum wage and often face broker exploitation. "Migrants just want fair wages," he emphasized, noting that a culture of fear prevents workers from seeking assistance.
A Glimpse into Life for Undocumented Migrants
In a quiet corner of Taipei, Harmony Home, an NGO that supports undocumented young mothers and children, has seen an increase in the number of minors seeking refuge. Founder Nicole Yang reported, "Last year, we welcomed about 110 new children. By April this year, that number has already reached 140." While these women and children cannot be deported for humanitarian reasons, the state is not responsible for their care costs.
Labor expert Li-Chuan Liuhuang noted that while the broker system is entrenched, the government could improve oversight by increasing transparency in recruitment processes and cost structures. In areas like Lishan, undocumented migrants work on farms, often relying on informal agreements with local authorities to avoid detection.
Mary, a pseudonym for another undocumented worker, shared her experience of fleeing from her job as a childcare worker after becoming frustrated with her low wages and lack of support. "In the mountains, there’s an understanding between the landowners and the police," she explained. However, even there, workers face the risk of wage theft and threats of deportation if they voice complaints.
The lives of undocumented workers in Taiwan, like Bernard and Mary, illustrate a complex web of challenges, highlighting the urgent need for reform and support for those caught in this precarious situation. As the conversation around migrant rights evolves, it is crucial for society to recognize and address the systemic issues that perpetuate these struggles.
