Thai Migrant Workers in Taiwan and Republic of Korea

This paper aims to study the situations of Thai migrant workers in Taiwan and Republic of Korea by reviewing existing literatures and available statistical information. Taiwan and Republic of Korea have opened up their job markets to foreign workers due to shortage of labour since in the late 1980’s. The two countries have been receiving the majority of foreign workers from South East Asia since then. Statistics shows that there were 72,138 Thai migrant workers in Taiwan—which accounts for 17.13 per cent of 420, 931 migrant workers in the country (as of November 2011). In Korea, the number of Thai migrant workers in the Employment Permit system for Foreigner (EPS) appeared to be 23,760 people (as of March 2011). At the same time, for Thai migrant workers, Taiwan and Republic of Korea are ranked among the most popular destinations for the past years. Most of these Thai migrant workers are reported to be from the North Eastern region of Thailand. Most workers seek jobs through agents or brokers. Despite the challenges such as differences of languages and culture, the two governments have been assisting the foreign workers to assimilate to the receiving societies through various social integration policies.

 

Moderator: Dr.Theerathorn Yoongthong