Taiwan and the Philippines update direct-hire MoU to cover caregivers and hospitality technical workers
On 5 November Taiwan and the Philippines signed an updated direct-hiring memorandum. It expands job categories, adds language and skills cooperation, and opens hospitality technical-worker recruitment, pending domestic approval.
Taiwan and the Philippines formally updated and signed their Direct Hiring Program memorandum of understanding on the afternoon of 5 November 2026 at Taiwan's Ministry of Labor, the ministry said in a same-day press release.
Taiwan Representative to the Philippines Chou Min-kan and Manila Economic and Cultural Office Chair Corazon A. Padiernos signed for both sides. Ministry of Labor Deputy Minister Chen Ming-jen and Philippine Department of Migrant Workers Undersecretary Jainal T. Rasul Jr. attended, according to the ministry and Central News Agency.
What the update expands
The Ministry of Labor said the new memorandum turns conclusions from the ninth and tenth Taiwan-Philippines labour conferences into agreement text. Direct-hire job categories now formally include institutional caregivers, nearshore and domestic fishing workers, and agriculture, forestry, livestock and aquaculture. Central News Agency quoted Workforce Development Agency Director-General Huang Ling-yu saying the parties may later add further categories based on Taiwan industry demand and Philippine labour supply.
The memorandum also requires cooperation on language and skills training and competency checks. Liberty Times reported Huang saying arrivals from the Philippines may enter on English ability without mandatory pre-departure Mandarin certification, but must pass TOCFL listening or speaking at A2 level within three years after arrival, with skills recognised through degrees, work experience, internships or skills tests rather than a single exam.
Hospitality technical workers
Technical workers are formally brought into the direct-hire scope. Central News Agency and Liberty Times said the industry confirmed for now for technical-worker intake is hospitality. As of the end of October, about 90 hospitality employers had filed recruitment requests seeking about 900 people, both outlets reported, citing ministry statistics.
Liberty Times quoted Huang saying the 5 November signing alone is not enough: both sides must finish domestic administrative procedures before the memorandum takes effect, Taiwan must submit it to the Executive Yuan, and the formal implementation timetable is not yet set.
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- Taiwan and the Philippines updated and signed the TECO-MECO Direct Hiring Program memorandum of understanding on 5 November 2026 at Taiwan's Ministry of Labor.
- Signatories were Taiwan Representative to the Philippines Chou Min-kan and MECO Chair Corazon A. Padiernos; MOL Deputy Minister Chen Ming-jen and DMW Undersecretary Jainal T. Rasul Jr. attended.
- Expanded direct-hire categories include institutional caregivers, nearshore and domestic fishing workers, and agriculture, forestry, livestock and aquaculture.
- Technical workers are brought into direct hire, with hospitality confirmed as the first industry; about 90 hospitality employers were seeking about 900 people as of end-October.
- Liberty Times reported the memorandum still needs each side's domestic procedures, including Taiwan Executive Yuan review, before it takes effect.
Official sources
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