00:00Here in Manila, workers are marking Labor Day with renewed calls for better working conditions.
00:06But the concerns go far beyond the country's border,
00:08as Taiwan is introducing new measures that is aimed at more actively recruiting Filipino migrant workers.
00:20The rally has called for higher living wages, price controls, tax reforms, and a government that tackles corruption.
00:27But overseas workers who work abroad and often face greater uncertainty also have their own concerns.
00:34First, we are the disposable ones.
00:38Second, we are in the bottom of the food chain.
00:42And third, we are the cheap labor, disposable.
00:45So every time there is a problem, a crisis, the first one to hit will be the migrants.
00:52The Philippines is a major source of foreign labor for Taiwan.
00:55This has prompted Taipei to set up Taiwan's first-ever government-run overseas recruitment center in the Philippines
01:02as it faces growing labor shortages.
01:05Under the new system, the Philippines' de facto embassy in Taiwan says employers will cover round-trip airfare,
01:12medical checks, and visa costs, helping ease the financial burden on Filipino workers.
01:17But sources told Taiwan Plus that delays to the general budget has meant the center can be properly funded.
01:23So it's only now started to receive applications, despite not being fully up and running.
01:29Both officials and members of the public here seem positive about the center.
01:34Basically, if it makes recruitment and finding job opportunities for our workers much easier and less costly,
01:44of course, we are very supportive of that.
01:46I've seen already the public comments of our Department of Migrant Workers.
01:52They're very open.
01:53They welcome this initiative, this development.
02:00For me, I think it's better this way, because you'll immediately know whether you qualify or not.
02:06And what we're hoping for is that the process becomes easier.
02:09We won't have to wait much longer, and we'll be able to be more prepared.
02:14Taiwan's labor ministry says the move is expected to reduce disputes and excessive fees linked to private labor brokers,
02:21making it a fairer process.
02:24As Taiwan and the Philippines both mark Labor Day, their growing labor ties are also coming under closer scrutiny.
02:31Fu Hua Hong, David Santos and Ellen Lu in Manila for Taiwan Plus.
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