Taipei: Medical workers unions and a live-in caregiver employer group have voiced their opposition to a government proposal that would enable hospitals to hire foreign care workers. This plan, put forth by the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW), aims to allow hospitals to employ intermediate skilled foreign workers to assist inpatients with acute conditions, thereby alleviating the workload of nursing staff, according to Health Minister Shih Chung-liang.
According to Focus Taiwan, the Taiwan Nurses Union and the Taiwan Federation of Medical Unions issued a joint statement on Tuesday expressing their firm opposition to the recruitment of foreign workers, citing unclear systems and support measures. They warned that this could burden frontline staff with risks and confusion. Concerns raised by the unions include potential language barriers, management and supervision challenges, the definition of duties and professional boundaries between foreign care workers and domestic nurses, and the operation of dispute and complaint mechanisms.
The International Association of Family and Employers with Disabilities (IAFED), an NGO representing employers of foreign caregivers, also opposes the proposal. On Wednesday, the NGO argued that the existing foreign live-in caregivers and the foreign care workers hospitals would hire would likely come from the same labor pool. This could lead medical institutions, with their regular hours and team support, to attract seasoned caregivers from private homes, leaving vulnerable households without alternatives.
Health Minister Shih responded to the unions' concerns by emphasizing that the MOHW is targeting intermediate skilled foreign workers who have been in Taiwan for more than six years, can communicate in Mandarin, and have received care worker training. He noted that a pilot program started three years ago, where hospitals centrally hire and train care workers, has received positive public feedback. This system allows nurses to concentrate on professional duties, with families paying a daily fee for care workers, thus reducing the need for relatives to remain at bedsides or hire private caregivers.
Regarding IAFED's concerns, the MOHW stated it had no specific comments at this stage, as the proposal is still under discussion and feedback is being gathered. Meanwhile, Labor Minister Hung Sun-han mentioned that while the MOHW has proposed revising relevant regulations, it should first consult with relevant groups to ensure a comprehensive assessment. There is currently no set timetable for reviewing the proposal.