Foreign Domestic Helpers Not Protected by Labor Laws|"廠工"適用勞基法 家事看護工遭到排除

A team comprised of Vietnamese workers won the championship of a soccer tournament for migrant workers. However, all who showed their supports are factory workers, since they are covered under the Labor Standards Act and has at least one day off every seven days. On the other hand, domestic helpers are not protected by the law and they almost have no time off all year round.


A player scores a header on the soccer field. Team "Yi'an" and "Xinzhuang", both comprised of migrant Vietnamese workers, are battling for the championship at the 2018 tournament for migrant workers, held in New Taipei City. Many of their compatriots have come to the field to show support.

Those who wear yellow jerseys are our compatriots. They have shown up today (to support us).

All who are on the New Taipei Xinzhuang Sports Field are factory workers. They are covered under the Labor Standards Act and are entitled to days off, which allow them to enjoy leisure and social activities. Domestic helpers, on the other hand, are not protected by the law. While the factory workers are playing soccer on the field, many domestic helpers are busy taking care of elderly at the nearby Xinzhuang Sports Park, and cannot show up to support the players.

I have only one day off per month. (Only one day off per month?) Correct.

There are more than 236,000 domestic helpers in Taiwan. They have almost no time off all year round. Local migrant worker associations have been calling on the government for years to allow these workers time off. Recently, the Ministry of Health and Welfare has drawn up a plan which allows the domestic helpers to take time off, and have local domestic helpers temporarily fill their role for the families in need.

(If it was me) I would not feel good about not been allowed time off. So, it's the same, if she needs time off, I will certainly give her time off.

The plan from the Ministry of Health and Welfare still has its limits. In its initial phase, it will only allow certain groups to receive subsidies from the government, which will in turn allow them to hire local domestic helpers. Those who qualify must be from families with limited capabilities, and suffer from severe diseases, physical disabilities, or elderly citizens aged 70 or older and live alone. Those from low income families will be entitled to the full subsidies, those from medium-to-low income need to pay 5 percent, and those from average income families need to pay 16 percent of the total cost of hiring domestic helpers. The subsidies will allow hiring local helpers for a maximum of 21 days per year. The Ministry of Health and Welfare will propose the plan to the Ministry of Labor on Wednesday in order to get the budget approved.