Growing India-Taiwan ties benefit both

March 6, 2024

NEW DELHI – In mid-February, India and Taiwan signed an agreement on migration and mobility, enabling Indian workers to seek employment on the island. Taiwan faces shortfall of workers in the fields of manufacturing, construction and agriculture. The industries, the number of jobs, he expertise necessary, language skills and recruitment procedures have yet to be finalised. It appears that the Taiwanese government would determine these, while the Indian government would conduct training.

The first lot is expected to be recruited from the North East which has similarity in religion and food habits. It is expected that there would be a pilot scheme prior to implementing the accord. Overall, about 100,000 will be ultimately hired. Unofficial inputs indicate that there is also an increased demand for caregivers to cater for the aging Taiwanese population. Taiwan, like China and other parts of the world, has an aging population and low birth rates, resulting in a reduced work force. Thus, Taiwan is compelled to import labour to enable its economy to continue flourishing. Apart from India, it also sources skilled and semi-skilled manpower from Vietnam, the Philippines and Thailand.

During PM Modi’s visit to Israel in May 2023, a similar agreement for 42,000 migrant workers was inked. There are already over 18,000 Indians in Israel, either as students or caregivers. In January this year, an Israeli team selected approximately 6,000 workers with more expected to be approved shortly. With the suspension of work visas to Palestinians the numbers are only likely to increase. Taiwan has promised pay parity with local labour as also insurance policies.

Taipei is aware of hardworking Indian labour which contributed to