Taipei, Dec. 8 (CNA) The Ministry of Labor (MOL) will soon provide details about allowing more migrant workers from different countries into the Taiwan, with workers from Thailand likely to be the next wave, a top labor official said Wednesday.
Taiwan only reopened to Indonesian migrant workers on Nov. 11, while negotiations have been held with the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam to lift the ban on their workers.
The Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) first banned entry of migrant workers from Thailand in December 2020 due to the COVID-19 situation in the Southeast Asian country.
It then banned the entry of almost all foreign nationals without residency, including migrant workers, on May 19 following an unprecedented spike in domestic COVID-19 cases in Taiwan.
Shortly before a Social Welfare and Environmental Hygiene Committee session at the Legislative Yuan Wednesday, Labor Minister Hsu Ming-chun said discussions are taking place with countries who wish to send migrant workers to Taiwan.
Taiwan has required all migrant workers to comply with a 21-day quarantine and self-health management requirement at a quarantine facility until Feb. 14, .
The countries must make their own assessment regarding Taiwan's COVID-19 prevention protocols, Hsu said, adding that more details should come out soon and that Thailand has responded positively.
In response to Tuesday's 21 new imported COVID-19 cases, the highest daily number this year, Hsu said she will hold discussions with the CECC if the numbers continue to rise.
