Taipei: Taiwan's Ministry of Labor (MOL) has approved a new plan allowing general construction firms involved in post-disaster reconstruction projects to hire additional migrant workers, exceeding the sector's existing 15,000-person ceiling. This initiative aims to expedite recovery efforts following recent natural disasters.

According to Focus Taiwan, the decision was made during a meeting on Friday, with Su Yu, an official from the MOL's Workforce Development Agency (WDA), emphasizing the need for increased manpower to aid reconstruction efforts. The plan specifically allows companies working on eligible reconstruction or public-interest projects to hire more migrant workers without contributing to the 15,000-person limit, provided they meet certain criteria.

In response to labor shortages, the MOL initially set a 15,000-person quota in 2023 for general construction firms to hire migrant workers. However, the National Land Management Agency reported that this ceiling had been reached by 2024 through staged distribution. The new approval effectively lifts this limitation for reconstruction projects, particularly those contracted with disaster-affected residents.

Su highlighted the unpredictable nature of natural disasters and the urgent need for reconstruction, which demands significant manpower. Despite the approval, specific details regarding which disasters or regions qualify for additional workers, or the time frame for the measure, were not disclosed.

The recent series of natural disasters in 2024 and 2025, including a magnitude 7.1 earthquake in Hualien and the bursting of a barrier lake in Guangfu Township due to Typhoon Ragasa, have necessitated large-scale reconstruction efforts. The MOL's decision supports these efforts by enabling construction firms to retain the additional migrant workers for other ongoing projects after the completion of rebuilding.

The implementation of the new measure is pending an announcement from the National Land Management Agency, as stated by Su.