RESTRICTIONS on hiring foreign live-in caregivers will be relaxed, as a historically low birthrate leaves seniors struggling to find long-term support.
The government will amend rules so that those aged 80 and above with long-term medical histories or disabilities will no longer need functionality assessments before they hire a foreign helper, Deputy Labour Minister Wang An-pang told lawmakers, the official Central News Agency reported.
The restriction revisions will be made in September, benefiting roughly 55,000 people.
Taiwan is one of the world’s fastest-ageing societies, with births last year slumping to a record low. As of March, Taiwan had 910,000 people aged over 80, 41.7% of whom were disabled in some way, according to data cited at the same legislative hearing.
There is debate about whether to completely remove the Barthel Index assessment of a person’s functionality.
But Wang said there are only 210,000 overseas live-in caregivers in Taiwan, suggesting waiting until there are more caregivers before further easing restrictions. — Bloomberg
