The Taiwan Ministry of Labor (MOL) recently announced that a labor broker has been fined more than NT$10 million for illegally charging migrant workers job-placement fees. This is the highest fine ever given for this kind of violation.
According to the MOL, the broker collected illegal fees from several migrant workers, disguising them as charges for contract renewal or end-of-contract transfers. In total, the broker reportedly overcharged workers by around NT$1 million. Since the violation was clear and serious, the local government imposed a heavy penalty.
Under Taiwan’s Employment Service Act, brokers are allowed to charge registration and placement fees only to employers, not to workers. Migrant workers are only required to pay monthly service fees, which are strictly limited by law. These fees are capped at NT$1,800 per month in the first year, NT$1,700 in the second year, and NT$1,500 from the third year onward. Any form of job-placement or “job-buying” fees charged to workers is illegal.
Aside from the fine, the broker may also face a business suspension of up to one year. The MOL did not release details about how many workers were affected or their nationalities, and the broker’s name was not officially disclosed. However, records show that a broker based in Taichung was fined NT$12.7 million by the Taoyuan City Government in late November for a similar violation.
It is still unclear whether the illegally collected money has been returned to the affected workers. The MOL said it would need to review this detail further.
The investigation began after a civic group filed complaints, accusing the broker of illegal fee collection. The ministry confirmed that this case happened within the past few months.
So far in 2025, authorities have found 10 brokers guilty of overcharging migrant workers.
The government has already conducted more than 2,200 inspections this year and plans to increase inspections to 2,500 next year to better protect workers’ rights.
The Ministry of Labor reminded brokers to strictly follow the law and encouraged migrant workers to speak up. Workers who are asked to pay illegal job-placement fees, especially when changing employers, are urged to call the 1955 Hotline for help or to file a complaint.
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