The Race for Foreign Labor in East Asia: The Immigration Battle Among Korea, Japan, and Taiwan
Recently, a fierce competition has emerged among East Asian countries to attract foreign workers. South Korea, Japan, and Taiwan are actively implementing policies to attract international talent in response to the pressing issue of labor shortages caused by low birth rates and an aging population. In this article, we will explore how these three nations are competing for foreign workers, the underlying reasons for this shift, and the recent policy changes that have come into play.
South Korea: Significant Easing of Foreign Worker Limits
In recent years, South Korea has dramatically increased the cap on foreign workers. In 2020, the limit for low-skilled foreign workers (E-9 visa) stood at 56,000, but this year has seen a substantial rise to 165,000. Furthermore, the quota for skilled foreign workers (E-7-4 visa) expanded from a mere 600 in 2018 to 35,000 this year, showcasing a significant boost in South Korea’s capacity to accept foreign labor. This policy shift is aimed at addressing the acute labor shortage stemming from the country’s rapid decline in birth rates and aging population. Additionally, South Korea’s higher wage levels compared to Japan and Taiwan serve as an attractive incentive for foreign workers. For instance, the average wage for low-skilled foreign workers in Korea reached approximately 2.37 million won in 2022, surpassing the pay scale in Japan and Taiwan.
Japan: Attracting Foreign Workers with a New Employment Training System
Japan has long utilized a technical intern training program to bring in foreign workers, but this system faced criticism for poor working conditions and human rights violations. In response, the Japanese government has abolished the technical intern program and introduced a new employment training system to revamp its foreign worker attraction policy.
Now, Japan grants “Specified Skills 2” visa status to foreign workers, enabling them to bring their families and apply for permanent residency, essentially opening the door to immigration. Efforts to secure a greater influx of foreign labor are particularly focused on fields severely impacted by labor shortages, such as elder care and construction.
Taiwan: Expanding Low-Skilled Worker Quotas and Introducing Foreign Caregivers
The Taiwanese government has set ambitious plans to attract an additional 80,000 low-skilled foreign workers by 2030, with a specific emphasis on securing foreign labor for the elder care sector. The demand for workforce in caregiving is on the rise not only in Taiwan but across East Asia. Both Japan and Taiwan have already implemented foreign caregiver programs to brace for their aging societies, while South Korea has yet to fully embrace foreign caregivers.
The Rise of China: Entering the Caregiver Competition Amid Population Decline
China, facing its own declining birth rates, is expected to join the competition for foreign workers in the near future. In 2022, China’s birth rate plummeted to 1.09, leading to predictions of a shortage in caregiving labor, including elder care and childcare. If China begins to attract foreign caregivers, the competition for talent across East Asia will intensify even further.
The content shared here is based on my interpretation of the original article. For more detailed and precise information, please refer to the original source.
Read the original article here: “If We Lose Them, It’s Game Over… The War of the Three Kingdoms Has Begun”.