Regardless of the business size, employers are required within the jurisdiction of the Taiwan employment Act to enroll all recruited employees, including interns and business assistants, in labor insurance on the first day of employment. This is also applicable to non residents and foreign workers. Labor insurance for Taiwan foreigners is expected for all foreign workers employed in Taiwan.
As a company planning to employ workers in Taiwan, it is important to consider the insurance policy applicable to your local and foreign workers. If you want to find out more about Taiwan labor insurance policy for foreigners, you are at the right place. This article has been put together to enlighten you on what you need to know about Taiwan labor insurance and give insights on the required documentation necessary for enrolling in labor insurance.
Introduction To Taiwan Labor Insurance
Workers’ insurance offers financial aid and/or medical attention to employees who are hurt at work or get ill as a direct result of their work. The employer pays for this insurance while the employee is not expected to contribute any amount. In the case of an accident, it will be decided whether the insurer will pay for medical expenses and/or monetary benefits and the amounts that must be paid. In such case, the employee can claim a calculated benefit or compensation. However, employees will forfeit their entitlement from the insurance if they sustain an accident that is entirely unrelated to the job they do. For example an accident caused by drug or alcohol intoxication or intention to self-harm will not be regarded as work accident.
Which Employees Are Qualified For Labor Insurance?
All employees hired under a service agreement or an apprenticeship is obliged by law to labor insurance. No matter their tax status or whether you typically refer to them as an employee or a self-employed person. However, it may sometimes depend on the conditions of your employment agreement with them. You may or may not need employers’ liability insurance.
You may require employers’ liability insurance if someone works for you and you have the authority to manage their work environment, including where they work, when they work, and how they work. Also, it will be considered if you provide them with the necessary tools and materials. Depending on the above mentioned factors, a company may not require employers’ liability insurance for employees if the structure of contract does not correlate with any of the mentioned factors.
Are Foreigners In Taiwan liable To Labor Insurance?
Foreign employees are qualified for labor insurance under the Labor Insurance Act as insured people and are eligible to apply for labor insurance benefits. Five distinct types of benefits, including maternity benefits, accident or illness benefits, disability benefits, old-age benefits, and survivors’ benefits, are included in the regular insurance scheme. The four types of benefits covered by occupational accident insurance are illness and injury benefits, disability benefits, survivors’ benefits, and medical benefits. All these will be available to foreigners working in Taiwan.
The employer of a foreigner must manage the labor insurance enrollment with the appropriate body as long as the foreigner holds the required document and is granted permission to work in Taiwan. A letter of approval for a work permit and a dwelling permit will be required. This also applies to some foreign experts who possess gold employment cards.
What Documents Are Required For Foreigners When Enrolling In Labor Insurance?
Employees with Taiwanese citizenship and foreign workers who comply with Taiwanese legislation are covered by labor insurance. Employees who are Taiwanese nationals and their spouses of foreign nationality or spouses from mainland China and Hong Kong, are eligible receivers of the employment insurance. After hiring one employee, a company must have obligatory employment insurance.
Where applicable, the following documents are required for foreigner’s labor insurance in Taiwan:
- A copy of the foreign worker hiring permission letter issued by the Ministry of Labor or Ministry of Education; or .
- A copy of gold employment card; or A copy of Alien Resident Certificate with the wording of “this card is considered as work permit”.
The aforementioned documents are to be sent to the Taiwan Ministry of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Insurance via mail or in person. To utilize the labor insurance online filing system, you will need your labor insurance license number.
How We Can help?
As an employer it is up to you to determine the status of the people working for you and enroll them for labor insurance. If you are confused about how to go, let Premia TNC help you. Obtain legal counsel with us by booking a consultancy session. If you have any questions about your employee payroll you can reach out to us.
FAQs About Labor Insurance For Taiwan Foreigners
Q: How do international employees submit a labor insurance application?
The labor insurance coverage should be the responsibility of the employer that hires the overseas employee. In addition to copies of the worker's work permit and other related papers that have been authorized by the central competent authority, the employer must fill out an insurance application form and send it to the Bureau of Labor Insurance. Visit the Bureau of Labor Insurance website for the enrollment materials needed for the labor insurance program.
Q: What benefits does labor insurance cover?
The labor insurance benefits cover medical expenses for maternity, birth, illness, disability, old age, death, and work-related hazards. Workers who are employed and paid to undertake the actual job and those who work independently or without a regular employer are the focus of labor insurance.
Q: What requirements must be met in order to be eligible for standard injury or illness benefits under labor insurance?
When an insured person is hospitalized and undergoing medical treatment for a common accident or illness for which he is not receiving income, he is entitled to receive regular injury or sickness benefits starting on the fourth day that he is unable to work. Ordinary injury or illness benefits must be paid once every six months for a maximum of one year at a rate equal to 50% of the average monthly insurance earnings of a covered individual six months previous to the accident.
