Taiwan launches care program for live-in migrant caregivers

Taipei, March 10 (CNA) The Ministry of Labor (MOL) on Monday launched a care program aimed at helping seriously ill or injured migrant live-in caregivers recover and return to work as soon as possible.

Under the program, employers of seriously ill or injured migrant live-in caregivers can request house calls by social workers. After evaluating the caregivers' conditions, the social workers will arrange for them to be admitted to a shelter or receive the necessary medical assistance, the MOL said in a news release.

To access these services, employers can contact the migrant worker consultation center at their local government, the MOL's Direct Hiring Service Center, or call 1955.

While their caregivers are on leave, employers may request substitute caregivers through the government's respite service program by calling 1966 or through its short-term care service program by contacting their local government, according to the statement.

One month after a request has been filed, the 1955 hotline will contact the applicant to ensure both the care recipient and the caregiver have received the help they need.

Chuang Kuo-liang (莊國良), deputy head of the Workforce Development Agency's (WDA) Cross-Border Workforce Management Division under the MOL, said the program aims to help injured or sick migrant workers return to work as soon as possible while also sparing their employers the challenge of caring for both the caregiver and the care recipient simultaneously.

As of January 2025, there were approximately 198,000 migrant live-in caregivers in Taiwan, according to MOL data.