Releasing their pent-up frustrations, these migrant workers throw bomb-shaped paper lanterns at Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan. They say these fake bombs represent the constant pressure that’s been building up on their backs as their time in Taiwan slowly ticks down due to the “work-year limit.”

A rule that only allows blue-collar workers to stay in the country for up to 12 years – or 14 for those working as caregivers. They’re also only allowed to work on contracts of up to three years, meaning they often face uncertainty about continuing employment.

And they want to get rid of this work-year limit.

Abolish the work-year limit!

At a rally in Taipei on Sunday, hundreds of migrant workers and labor rights activists have come out to demand fair treatment for these essential workers.

Jasmin (DOMESTIC CAREGIVERS' UNION):  

We are not temporary.  

We are not replaceable.  

We are workers and we deserve the same dignity as everyone.

There are over 800,000 migrant workers in Taiwan, mostly from Southeast Asia, working in jobs like caregiving, manufacturing and agriculture that support Taiwan’s rapidly aging population and major industries.

While these migrants came to Taiwan looking for temporary work, many say they’ve come to view it as home and hope that the government can make friendlier policies that allow them to settle here long term.

Christy, a caregiver from Indonesia who has worked in Taiwan for 2 years, says she hopes to bring her family over if immigration policies change.

Christy (MIGRANT WORKER FROM INDONESIA):  

I have family in Indonesia and my kids have study for a long time now at elementary school and junior high school, but one day we want to come to Taiwan for study to the campus and together with me, living in Taiwan for working and study.

Ignas, also from Indonesia, has worked in Taiwan for 11 years and is set to leave next year, under current rules.

Ignas (MIGRANT WORKER FROM INDONESIA):  

The biggest reason is the social bonds I’ve built with my friends, fellow migrant workers and the local community. We’ve already formed a strong bond. That's not easy to leave behind or forget.

Some attendees also put themselves on display a bit more directly at the rally, by dressing up as meat at a supermarket labeled “fresh” until an expiration date was slapped on them.

The rally’s spokesperson says that the work-year limit prevents Taiwan from keeping the foreign workers they desperately need.

Jing-ru Wu (SPOKESPERSON, MIGRANT EMPOWERMENT NETWORK IN TAIWAN):  

We know that Taiwan needs workers. So why not let experienced ones stay, instead of hiring from overseas via brokers? This [current system] is not a good way to retain skilled workers in Taiwan.

White collar workers can achieve permanent residency in Taiwan only after five years of work.

In response to the rally, the Ministry of Labor said that blue-collar migrant workers can apply for “intermediate-skilled” status, which does not have restrictions on how long they can work in Taiwan.

But for many, they feel their years-long dedication and contributions to Taiwan’s society should already be enough to let them stay in the place they now call home.