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**Taiwan Faces Growing Crisis as Undocumented Migrant Worker Population Doubles**

**Taichung City, Taiwan** – Taiwan, often lauded for its democratic values, is grappling with a surge in its undocumented migrant worker population. In January, the number of unaccounted-for migrants reached a staggering 90,000, double the figure from four years prior, according to the Ministry of Labor. Driven by exploitative broker practices and limited labor protections, many Southeast Asian workers are choosing to overstay their visas, facing constant fear of deportation and restricted access to essential social services.

The current broker system, instated in 1992, has become a source of many exploitations for migrant workers. These brokers have significant control over worker’s living conditions, job prospects, and access to public services. Migrant workers make over a third of their complaints to the Ministry of Labor on broker-related issues.

Interviews with undocumented workers reveal a common thread: crippling debt, unfair treatment by brokers, and a desperate desire to provide for their families back home. “Bernard,” a Filipino worker who spoke on condition of anonymity, explained how his broker tried to confiscate his passport and pressure him to resign without severance pay. Now working odd jobs, he lives in constant fear of being caught.

Activists and experts are critical of the government’s approach. Joy Tajonera, who runs a migrant shelter, accuses the government of lax oversight of brokers, who often charge exorbitant fees and impose unfair conditions. Lennon Ying-Da Wang, director of a public migrant shelter, condemns increased fines for overstaying visas as counterproductive, arguing that the focus should be on addressing the root causes of the problem.

While the Labor Ministry claims to be improving conditions through wage increases and agency inspections, critics argue that fundamental issues persist, particularly for workers in childcare and fisheries who are often excluded from minimum wage laws. Labor expert Li-Chuan Liuhuang has stated, improved government oversight could “making the recruitment procedure and cost structure more transparent”.

The consequences of this crisis are far-reaching. Harmony Home, an NGO supporting undocumented mothers and children, reports a sharp rise in cases. In rural areas, undocumented migrants often fill crucial labor gaps in agriculture, but remain vulnerable to exploitation by landowners who sometimes withhold wages and threaten deportation.
This story was produced in partnership with the Pulitzer Center.

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