Taiwan and India Near Agreement for Migrant Workers Arrival

Taiwan’s Labor Minister Hung Shen-han announced on April 9, 2026, that the first group of Indian migrant workers could arrive in Taiwan later in the year. The announcement indicates that the government is in the final stages of administrative confirmation to open its labor market to workers from India.

During a report to the Legislative Yuan’s Social Welfare and Environmental Hygiene Committee, Hung stated that the Ministry of Labor is currently finalizing document verification, health check standards, and other administrative procedures. These steps are intended to ensure smoother bilateral coordination before the workers are introduced.

Recruitment Targets and Sector Focus

A bilateral working-level meeting held at the end of 2024 determined that the initial intake of Indian migrant workers would consist of 1,000 individuals. The current agreement specifies that 5% of these workers will be recruited through direct hiring, although Minister Hung noted his hope that this percentage could increase depending on industry demand.

The recruitment efforts are designed to address labor shortages in specific industries. The primary sectors targeted for Indian labor include manufacturing, and construction. The Ministry of Labor has discussed a limited pilot program for household caregivers to support the home care sector.

Demographic Drivers and Economic Need

The push to import labor from India is driven by a persistent workforce deficit in Taiwan, caused by a rapidly aging population and a declining birthrate. According to projections from the National Development Council, Taiwan faces a potential deficit of 400,000 workers by 2030.

To mitigate these shortages, Taiwan is seeking to expand its foreign workforce beyond its traditional source countries in Southeast Asia. The agreement with India represents a strategic move to diversify the origin of its migrant labor to sustain its manufacturing and construction industries.

Timeline of the Taiwan-India Labor Agreement

The foundation for this labor mobility arrangement was established on February 16, 2024, when Taiwan and India signed a memorandum of understanding through their respective representative offices. This initial agreement served as a framework for importing laborers into Taiwan.

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Following the 2024 framework, both nations spent time finalizing regulatory and worker protection aspects. Progress on the implementation of the deal stalled for a significant portion of 2025, resuming in January 2026.

In January 2026, the Ministry of Labor led a delegation to India. The purpose of the visit was to study the job market, understand the hiring processes utilized by Taiwanese businesses already operating in India, and review the regulatory requirements for Indian citizens working overseas.

Logistics and Recruitment Standards

To support the arrival of migrant workers, at least one Taiwanese airline is planning to launch direct flights between Taipei and Delhi starting in the summer of 2026.

Minister Hung’s report to the legislative committee also focused on the alignment of Taiwan’s migrant worker system with international human rights and supply chain governance standards. The government is emphasizing the prevention of forced labor and the implementation of fair recruitment criteria during the rollout of the Indian labor program.

The Labor Minister clarified that while the first group could potentially arrive this year, the process remains dependent on the completion of the final round of administrative checks.