Working conditions in Taiwan

Working conditions and your rights explained

Working conditions in Taiwan

There have been rising allegations about Taiwan’s ‘overworked culture,’ which is a main concern of Taiwan’s Council Of Labour Affair (CLA), who blamed 50 workers’ deaths in 2011 on their burned out society.

Labour laws

One of the most vital labour laws to hit Taiwan was the Labor Standards Law which defines worker’s and employer’s rights and obligations concerning such work aspects as contracts and wages. 

Most importantly, the law protects against unreasonable work hours, forced labour and provides insurance against accidents on sight. Discrimination in wages between the sexes is also deemed illegal. 

Health

If you work as a teacher in a supplementary school, better know as a cram school which offers extra private classes for students,you are required to submit a medical examination certificate performed within the last 3 months. You must have the certificate accredited by an overseas  Republic of China (ROC) officer if applying for the job from overseas. 

If you are already in Taiwan and working as a teacher in a supplementary school, your employer is legally required to arrange a medical examination at a hospital designated by the Department of Health (DOH) for you within 3 working days after you enter Taiwan.

Tax

Legal foreign workers who work less than 183 days within the taxable year (Jan 1- Dec 31) are treated as non-residents.

Non-residents that earn less than 1.5 times the minimum wage, (no more than NT$25,920 per month) are taxed 6% of their salary. Those that earn more than that pay a tax of 18%.

You are deemed a taxpayer if you live and work in Taiwan for 183 days or more within the taxable year (Jan 1-Dec 31). If you are a taxpayer, tax returns should be filed before the 31 May.

Further reading

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