TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Manila Economic and Cultural Office on Wednesday welcomed the Ministry of Labor’s plan to set up a recruitment center in the Philippines next year.

MECO Chairperson and Resident Representative Corazon Avecilla-Padiernos said her office “warmly welcomes” the labor ministry’s announcement. She added that the move highlights growing ties between the Philippines and Taiwan and “marks an important step toward more ethical, transparent, and worker-centered recruitment.”

Padiernos said direct hiring and requiring Taiwanese employers to cover major costs such as airfare, medical examinations, and visa fees “can significantly reduce the financial burden on Filipino workers and help address abusive brokerage practices.” She said her office will coordinate with agencies in both countries to ensure the system effectively protects workers while meeting Taiwan’s labor needs.

She said her office is committed to developing clear, fair, and accessible procedures ahead of the January 2026 application launch. Padiernos said the office welcomes continued cooperation with Taiwan’s labor ministry as both sides finalize operational details and engage with sectors that have labor shortages.

Labor Minister Hung Shen-han (洪申翰) said the recruitment center will expand targeted worker recruitment and allow businesses in the hospitality and commercial port sectors to hire foreign technical workers, provided wages for local workers are first raised by NT$2,000 (US$63), per CNA. He said funding is included in the 2026 government budget, and the center has already been unveiled, but will initially operate as a task force until the budget is approved.

Hung said companies can begin submitting applications after New Year’s Day, and personnel will be dispatched during the year. He cautioned that because the recruitment of foreign technical workers still involves administrative procedures, it is unlikely that workers will arrive as early as the first quarter, saying that “it will take some time.”

Lydia Huang (黃齡玉), director-general of the Workforce Development Agency, said recruitment will be conducted on a government-to-government basis and will not involve labor brokers, reducing overseas intermediary fees. She added that costs such as airfare, health checkups, and visa fees will, in principle, be covered by Taiwanese employers.

Hung said the ministry will soon hold briefings with industry stakeholders to help the hospitality and commercial port sectors understand the relevant regulations.