The Executive Yuan on Thursday passed a new economic immigration bill aimed at recruiting and retaining foreign talent. The bill, drafted by the National Development Council, will now go to the Legislature for review and debate.
Premier Lai Ching-te said that the bill comes in response to Taiwan's shifting demographics. The objective is to relieve the glaring shortage of professional talent and mid-level technicians now hampering domestic industries, without affecting the job prospects or pay standards of local workers. By attracting and expanding a high-quality foreign workforce, Taiwan can enhance the upgrade of industry, maintain a sensible population structure, and become more competitive.