TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — After a wanted sex offender was able to hire and sexually assault a migrant caregiver, the government is reviewing a loophole in employment laws that allows wanted criminals to hire caregivers.  

Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) legislators Lin Shu-fen (林淑芬) and Hong Shen-han (洪申翰) and migrant advocacy group Serve the People Association (SPA) held a press conference on Saturday (Aug. 3) during which they criticized the lack of information sharing between the labor and police systems. They said this allowed a wanted sex offender to hire and abuse a migrant caregiver. 

The Ministry of Labor’s hiring system is not connected to the police system, allowing employers to apply for foreign caregivers even if they possess a criminal record. 

An Indonesian migrant worker reported being held, beaten, and sexually assaulted by her employer for nine months, per CNA. The migrant worker showed signs of emotional trauma during her testimony, and photos of evidence of her employer's abuse were shown to officials. 

"Wanted sex offenders can legally hire foreign caregivers. Who protects their safety?" the legislators asked. 

The employer of the caregiver has been wanted for sexual assault since 2011. To avoid being found by police, he stayed at home for long periods and restricted the caregiver’s movement. It was only when she found an opportunity to go outside alone that she was able to call for help. 

In addition, the legislators said Keelung City Government failed to make visits to the migrant workers, as required by law. Within three days of migrant workers entering Taiwan, employers must submit documents and notify the local government to send personnel to the workplace for inspection. 

Head of the Labor and Development Administration of the Ministry of Labor Su Yu-kuo (蘇裕國) said that if the employer is wanted but has not yet been prosecuted, they cannot prevent the migrant worker from being hired. He said the labor ministry would promote legal amendments, the 1955 helpline for migrant workers, and better enforce on-site inspections of caregivers.