India, Taiwan likely to sign worker migration agreement

Taiwan and India are discussing an agreement to facilitate the migration of Indian workers to address labour shortages in critical industries like manufacturing, including factories, construction projects, household workers, agriculture and fisheries.

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Taiwan and India are discussing an agreement to facilitate the migration of Indian workers to address labour shortages in key sectors in the East Asian island region, according to a report on September 27, citing people familiar with the situation.

A draft memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been finalised following discussions between the two parties, the sources told Hindustan Times, adding that the agreement could be signed as early as the first week of next month.

The draft MoU had not yet been made public. According to people familiar with the negotiations, Taiwan is interested in facilitating the migration of workers from India’s northeast due to cultural and dietary similarities.

Notably, overseas workers in Taiwan are entitled to the same wage as local workers, as well as comparable national healthcare facilities. At the moment, the monthly minimum wage in Taiwan is 26,400 New Taiwan dollars, which is equivalent to US$ 820.

The strengthening of ties between New Delhi and Taipei occurs while India and China are still engaged in a border dispute along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh. Beijing, which asserts Taiwan as its own territory, has frequently expressed its concerns about other nations forging relationships with the island group.