TAIPEI - Labour groups in Taiwan have urged the government to allow household migrant caregivers to be hired and managed through long-term care agencies, arguing that the move would better protect both workers and care recipients.

The call was made during a rally outside the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) in Taipei on Sunday, two days ahead of International Domestic Workers Day on June 16, as reported by Focus Taiwan.

Around 50 people attended the demonstration, including migrant worker representatives and labour rights advocates.

Protesters chanted “Exploitation is not a choice” as they called for reforms to Taiwan’s household caregiving system.

Jogilyn, a representative of the Domestic Caretaker Union, said many migrant caregivers continue to face excessive workloads and inadequate rest.

“Many of us continue to face long working hours, limited opportunities for rest and leave, and increasing care responsibilities that often exceed what one worker can reasonably provide,” she said.

She added that the right to rest and leave is “a fundamental labour and human right”.

Napia, a representative of Indonesian migrant caregiver union SBIPT, said around-the-clock work arrangements could also affect the quality of care received by older adults and people with disabilities.

Currently, household migrant caregivers and domestic workers in Taiwan are excluded from the Labour Standards Act.

As a result, they are not entitled to statutory protections such as regular rest days or limits on working hours.

Taiwan is home to more than 210,000 household migrant caregivers and domestic workers, most of whom come from Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam.

Many of them live with the families they serve and remain on call throughout the day and night.

According to Taiwan’s Ministry of Labor, a survey conducted in June 2025 found that 65.8 per cent of household migrant caregivers received at least one day off per month.

The largest group, accounting for 31.7 per cent of respondents, reported receiving only one rest day each month.

Taiwan International Workers’ Association official Wu Jing-ru said labour groups have long advocated integrating migrant caregivers into Taiwan’s formal long-term care system.

Under the proposed model, long-term care agencies would become the legal employers of migrant caregivers.

Workers employed by agencies would then fall under the Labour Standards Act and receive clearer protections on wages, working hours and rest periods.

Wu said families would no longer bear employer responsibilities and would instead become users of care services.

Care agencies would assign caregivers and other workers according to the needs of care recipients.

She argued that such a system would provide more stable and professional home-based care while strengthening labour protections.

However, not all stakeholders support replacing the current arrangement.

The International Association of Family and Employers with Disabilities said the existing family-based hiring model remains an important supplement to Taiwan’s long-term care system.

The group called for reforms to improve the current framework rather than abolish it entirely.

It said the government should first establish clear rules on professional qualifications, contractual responsibilities and quality control.

Responding to the proposal, MOHW Deputy Director Wu Hsi-wen said the change would require extensive regulatory reforms and careful assessment.

She noted that if care recipients still required 24-hour assistance, services might have to be delivered through rotating shifts under the new system.

Wu also said the government must consider labour regulations that require foreign worker policies not to adversely affect employment opportunities for Taiwanese citizens.

The ministry said it would continue gathering views from various stakeholders before making any decisions.

Taiwan relies heavily on migrant caregivers to support its rapidly ageing population. Foreign caregivers, primarily from Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam, play a crucial role in providing home-based care for older adults and persons with disabilities.

However, household migrant caregivers are currently excluded from Taiwan’s Labour Standards Act, leaving them without legal guarantees on working hours, overtime pay and rest days.