NIA busts illegal labor ring, deports 37 foreign nationals

Taipei, Dec. 31 (CNA) Taiwan's National Immigration Agency (NIA) has dismantled an illegal labor brokerage ring that housed and deployed undocumented foreign workers, deporting 37 foreign nationals, the agency said Wednesday.

The ring was led by a man surnamed Cheng (鄭), who used residential properties under his name to house foreign nationals working illegally, according to the NIA.

Investigators said Cheng transported the workers from the residences to job sites in the early morning hours to evade detection.

After receiving a tip-off last year and conducting months of surveillance, authorities intercepted Cheng's vehicle and found 13 overstaying foreign nationals inside. A further 24 undocumented workers were later arrested at other properties linked to him, the agency said.

Nearly all of the 37 foreign workers were Thai nationals who had entered Taiwan on tourist visas and overstayed. Cheng, who works in the construction sector, recruited them through a fixed network to meet labor demand.

Authorities said Cheng centralized the workers at his properties to facilitate management and avoid inspections. He had previously been fined NT$600,000 (US$19,000) for violating the Employment Service Act and related regulations.

Investigators estimated the group charged each worker NT$400 per day in brokerage fees, generating illegal profits of about NT$5 million annually.

Following two coordinated raids, authorities arrested 43 people, including six illegal brokers, employers and undocumented workers. Cheng was sentenced to four months in prison in November, with the remaining individuals dealt with under relevant laws.

The 37 foreign nationals have since been deported, the NIA said.