Labor Affairs

Undocumented Vietnamese Migrant Workers Surrendering to Immigration Authorities

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By TaiwanPlus

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Vietnamese migrant workers who fled their contracts are turning themselves in to Taiwan's immigration authorities at higher rates due to a new law in Vietnam that penalizes its nationals who stay in other countries unlawfully.

Vietnam Fines Own Migrant Workers

REPORTER:  
Undocumented migrant workers from Vietnam are turning themselves into Taiwan’s immigration authorities in growing numbers.

The increase is attributed to a new Vietnamese law that penalizes citizens staying in other countries unlawfully. Upon returning to the country, offenders face fines of up to 3,800 US dollars. That law is set to take effect on September 10. Vietnamese migrant workers who come to Taiwan are often faced with expensive upfront costs, long work hours, and lower pay, prompting them to flee their contracts. According to immigration authorities, there are close to 60,000 undocumented Vietnamese migrant workers in Taiwan.