Taiwan preferred OFW destination

Taiwan continues to stand out among major destinations for overseas Filipino workers, according to Maryknoll Missionary Priest Fr. Joy Tajonera, citing the country’s stability, low cost of living and openness to migrant workers’ advocacies.

Speaking on the DAILY TRIBUNE digital show Usapang OFW, Tajonera noted that Taiwan attracts a higher proportion of younger overseas Filipino workers, partly due to its employment limits — 12 years for factory workers and 14 years for caretakers.

He said that while blue-collar salaries across Taiwan, Japan and South Korea are “more or less the same” for newly graduated or first-time overseas workers, Taiwan remains “cheaper in terms of cost of living.”

He added that a significant adjustment for workers in Japan and South Korea is the longer and colder climate.

Regarding labor rights, Tajonera highlighted that Taiwan offers similar standards of benefits and freedom as the other two countries.

He pointed to a recent rally in Taipei where migrant workers advocated for continued employment without a cap, stressing that Taiwan is a democratic country that does not use participation in rallies against migrant workers.

“Taiwan will not stop you. They will not use that against you,” he said.

The recent Sunday rally was requested by Taiwanese nongovernmental organizations, with migrant workers accounting for 80 percent of the participants.