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2026/4/5

What legal protections are available for foreigners working in Taiwan?

Working in Taiwan is protected by law regardless of nationality.

Taiwan's labor laws protect the basic rights of all workers in Taiwan, regardless of nationality . Whether you are from Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, or Malaysia, as long as you work legally in Taiwan, you enjoy the same legal protections as Taiwanese workers.

I. Labor Standards Act Safeguards

The Labor Standards Act is the fundamental law in Taiwan that protects the rights and interests of workers and applies to all workers in Taiwan.

project	Your rights
salary	The wage must not be lower than the minimum wage (RMB 29,500 per month and RMB 196 per hour in 2026), and must be paid in full upfront.
working hours	The standard working hours are 8 hours per day and 40 hours per week. Overtime requires the employee's consent.
Overtime pay	For the first two hours of extended working hours, an additional 1/3 or more of the previous pay will be given; for the following two hours, an additional 2/3 or more will be given.
take a vacation	At least one regular day off and one rest day every 7 days; 12 national holidays; special leave is available after six months of service.
severance notice	An employer must give notice within the prescribed period before terminating an employment contract and pay severance pay.
Occupational safety	Employers have an obligation to provide a safe working environment and necessary safety equipment.

II. Social Insurance Guarantee

Labor Insurance

Your employer should provide you with workers' compensation insurance on the day you start work. The coverage includes:

Occupational injury (work injury) compensation
Injury and Illness Benefits
Disability benefits
Death benefits

Workers' pension

Your employer should contribute at least 6% of your salary to your personal retirement account each month. You can apply for a lump-sum withdrawal when you leave Taiwan.

Universal Health Insurance

After residing in Taiwan continuously for six months with a valid residence permit, you should join the National Health Insurance program. Your National Health Insurance card allows you to receive medical treatment at affordable prices at medical institutions throughout Taiwan.

III. What to do if you encounter a problem?

1955 Labor Consultation and Complaint Hotline

1955 is a 24-hour free consultation hotline set up by the Ministry of Labor, providing services in five languages .

language	Service Hours
Chinese	24 hours
English	24 hours
Vietnamese	24 hours
Indonesian	24 hours
Thai	24 hours

1955 can help you:

Legal consultation: Labor laws and work rights related issues
Complaints accepted: unpaid wages, overtime work, mistreatment, etc.
Legal Aid Information
Protection, resettlement and referral
Online instant translation service

Labor Dispute Resolution Process

Try communicating first : directly raise the issue with your employer or HR department.
Dial 1955 : Get professional advice and suggestions
Apply for mediation : Apply for labor dispute mediation at the local labor bureau (free of charge).
Legal Aid : If you need to litigate, you can apply for free legal assistance from the Legal Aid Foundation (Tel: 412-8518).

IV. Things employers cannot do

The following actions are illegal , and you can refuse and appeal:

❌ Withhold your passport or other documents
❌ Mandatory salary deductions as liquidated damages or security deposits
❌ You are required to perform work outside of your work permit.
❌ No reasonable leave or rest time provided.
❌ Paying wages below the minimum wage
❌ Unequal treatment based on nationality

V. Useful Links

Ministry of Labor | Foreigners' Labor Rights Website
Ministry of Labor | 1955 Text-based customer service (online consultation)
Legal Aid Foundation (Free Legal Assistance)
Ministry of Labor | Service Network for Foreigners Working in Taiwan

Remember: Your rights are protected by law. Don't be afraid to ask for help if you encounter problems; dialing 1955 is the first step.

The content of this article is based on the current labor laws of the Republic of China. The actual regulations are subject to the latest announcements from the competent authorities.

※ Information Timeliness Reminder: The amounts, rates, market conditions, and regulations contained in this article are information as of the time of writing (2026). Basic wages, labor and health insurance rates, etc., may be adjusted every year. Please refer to the latest announcements from the competent authorities and current regulations for the most accurate information.