staff shortage 結果共51筆

The Tourism Administration at the Ministry of Transport and Communications in Taiwan plans to apply for the opening of housekeeping positions for migrant workers due to a shortage of hotel service staff. The proposal will be submitted to the Ministry of Labor for consideration. The Director-General of the Tourism Administration, Chou Yung-hui, emphasized the importance of the hotel industry in the tourism sector and its impact on local economies. Chou encouraged local workers, especially middle-aged and older individuals and women, to consider employment opportunities in the industry. Discussions with the Ministry of Labor are ongoing to address migrant worker policies, and relevant data will be presented as soon as possible.

The kanji of the year for 2023 in Japan is ＂稅＂ (tax), chosen by the Japan Kanji Aptitude Testing Foundation. This is the second time since 2014 that the character for tax has been selected. The choice symbolizes the Japanese people’s increased attention to tax issues, including tax increases and cuts. Over 147,000 individuals participated in the vote, with ＂稅＂ (tax) receiving the most votes. The second and third most voted characters were ＂暑＂ (heat) and ＂戰＂ (war), respectively. In Taiwan, the ＂2023 Character of the Year＂ results were announced, with ＂缺＂ (lack/shortage) taking the top spot, followed by ＂蛋＂ (egg) and ＂詐＂ (fraud) in second and third places, reflecting specific societal concerns in the region.

Multiple municipalities in Taiwan, including Taipei, New Taipei, Keelung, Taoyuan, and Taichung, have announced the lifting of the ban on imported liquid eggs in school lunches, following a controversy over their use. The ban will be lifted starting from December 11, with the condition that only liquid eggs produced in December and carrying the Certified Agricultural Standards (CAS) mark can be used. CAS-certified liquid eggs, priced at approximately NT＄125 per kilogram, are 1.5 times more expensive than regular shell eggs but guarantee higher quality. Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-Yen cited the resolution of the ＂egg shortage crisis＂ and strengthened regulation on liquid egg production as reasons for lifting the ban. School meal providers can now gradually reintroduce egg dishes that were previously removed from students’ menus. Former Agriculture Minister Chen Chi-chung expressed his view on the ban lift, emphasizing the importance of food safety in a Facebook post.

Taiwan’s first highway autonomous bus conducted its inaugural licensing and passenger-carrying tests. The Ministry of Transportation and Communications’ Highway Bureau commissioned Green Transit Co., Ltd to deploy the self-driving bus, which traveled 16 kilometers autonomously at a set speed of 40 kilometers per hour. The bus, accompanied by an engineering driver during the trial phase, cost NT＄30 million to develop. The full route spans 44 kilometers, with over 70% being autonomous. The service is expected to provide free rides to the public starting in March next year, with seven stops and 7 to 8 daily services. The initiative aims to address the shortage of public transportation personnel and reduce traffic incidents. The Highway Bureau plans to enhance highway maintenance and public transport operations using smart technology.

Cathay Pacific plans to hire 5,000 additional employees in 2024 to address a staff shortage caused by a rapid rebound in travel demand. The airline’s Chief Financial Officer, Rebecca Sharpe, announced the plan during an analyst meeting, stating that the strong performance in the first half of the year is expected to continue. This comes after Cathay Pacific already expanded its workforce by 4,000 this year. The positions to be filled range from ground staff and cabin crew to pilots. The airline had to enact major staff reductions in 2019, cutting around 11,000 employees due to the impact of the pandemic. However, the resurgence of travel demand in 2023 led to severe staffing shortages. Despite this, Cathay Pacific achieved a net profit of HK$ 4.27 billion in the first half of 2023, a significant turnaround from a loss of HK$ 5 billion in the same period last year. Passenger numbers also soared to 14.57 million in the first 10 months of 2022, nearly ten times higher than the same period in 2021. This expansion reflects the recovery of the travel industry from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Explore how Taiwan’s hospitality industry confronts severe labor shortages, with insights from industry experts on integrating migrant workers and developing strategies to meet the increasing demand in the tourism sector.

Nien Hsing Textile Co., Ltd. announces the closure of its denim mill in Houlong Township, Miaoli County, due to significant operational losses. The Taiwan-based global jeans manufacturer faces challenges including fluctuating cotton prices and a tough consumer market.

The Ministry of Transportation and Communications has announced that the Taiwan Railways Administration (TRA) will implement an online system for train drivers to apply for leave by the end of this year. This decision comes after reports of drivers sleeping on the office floor or ＂fighting for time off＂ due to the current in-person system for leave applications. Currently, the Taipei Rolling Stock Branch of the TRA uses an in-person queuing system for leave scheduling, which often leads to disputes during extended holidays. MOTC head Wang Kwo-tsai explained that the demand for drivers exceeds the available staff, making it impossible to accept all leave requests. Wang also mentioned that recruitment examinations for railway staff will take place after the corporatization of the TRA in 2024, with some specialized railway examinations already causing disruptions in June.

Taiwan’s Minister of Labor, Hsu Ming-chun, has pledged to propose a plan within the next three months to support the 330,000 women in Taiwan who have left the workforce to care for their families. During a legislative interpellation, a Democratic Progressive Party legislator pointed out the government’s oversight of this potential source of manpower, considering the country’s need for more workers. Hsu acknowledged the relatively high number of women who have quit their jobs due to family care duties and stated that the Ministry of Labor is actively promoting measures to help women balance their work and family responsibilities. Suggestions were made to make the parental leave system more flexible and introduce family care leave. Hsu admitted that finding a solution is challenging but expressed her eagerness to address the issue. The Ministry of Labor has commissioned studies to inform their improvement plan, which will be developed in the next three months.

The Taiwanese government plans to allocate at least NT＄20 billion next year to raise the salaries of healthcare workers in response to recent protests by medical professionals. Premier Chen Chien-jen advocates for increased respect, appreciation, and compensation for frontline staff, stating that a health insurance system should not be built on the ＂sweat and tears＂ of healthcare professionals. Discussions are underway with President Tsai Ing-wen, National Health Insurance Administration Director-General Shih Chung-liang, and Health Minister Hsueh Jui-yuan on methods to enhance salaries through health insurance and public budget funds. The financial assistance will be directed at healthcare personnel excluding doctors, with specific details of the plan still under discussion. The Ministry of Health and Welfare has highlighted the global shortage of healthcare workers as a significant concern, and with COVID-19 still a threat, the government aims to increase healthcare investment and address the welfare of those on the medical frontline.

Taiwan’s nurses face a critical manpower shortage worsened by low salaries and challenging work conditions. With a high turnover rate and inadequate compensation, the call for fair wages and improved conditions is a pressing issue for Taiwan’s healthcare system.

The Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) reassures that Taiwan has sufficient land for the semiconductor industry, despite concerns over shortages in land, water, energy, labor, and talent. Media reports claimed that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd. (TSMC) had abandoned its Longtan plant, highlighting potential issues in the semiconductor industry. However, the MOEA states that it is actively working on land allocation and expansion plans in science parks and industrial parks. The government aims to meet all land requirements for industry expansion and new factories, while providing full services to manufacturing businesses. The MOEA is fully committed to assisting semiconductor companies in developing in Taiwan, with the goal of maintaining Taiwan’s dominant role in global semiconductor manufacturing.

Taipei’s Economics Minister, Wang Mei-hua, announced that power shortages have significantly decreased in recent years, with no shortages reported in 2023. Wang dismissed former President Ma Ying-jeou’s claims of power shortages under the Democratic Progressive Party’s governance as inconsistent with the facts. Since President Tsai Ing-wen took office, improvements have been made to the power scheduling mechanism, enhancing power supply stability. In response to power cuts in May 2021, the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) plans to invest over NT$500 billion in improvements over the next decade. The MOEA aims to add 9.1 million kilowatts to the power supply by 2030, excluding renewable energy, to meet the projected increase in power demand of 7 million kilowatts over the next seven years.

Taiwan Railways Administration (TRA) canceled a total of 86 train services on November 6 and 7, with an additional 13 services operating on a shortened route due to the Railway Staff Promotion Examination. As TRA prepares for corporatization in 2024, a significant staff shortage has arisen, with 297 drivers signing up for the exam conducted by the Examination Yuan. To address the shortage, TRA has adjusted the schedules of drivers who did not take the examination and enlisted reserve workforce, cross-unit drivers, and driving supervisors. Some freight train services and special train operations have been suspended. Despite these measures, the administration still faces a shortage of 60 crew members, resulting in a notable impact on railway schedules. The Jiji Line was particularly affected, with its entire service suspended on both days. To compensate, TRA launched a shuttle bus service between Ershui Station and Checheng Station.

The Taiwan Railways Administration (TRA) has issued a reminder to passengers about disruptions to rail services on Nov. 6-7 due to a shortage of available train drivers. This shortage is a result of 297 drivers taking leave to sit for a TRA promotion exam. Despite efforts to schedule non-exam takers for coverage, there is still a shortage of 60 drivers. Passengers are advised to make necessary adjustments and stay vigilant regarding these schedule changes.

Taiwan’s tourism industry is facing a significant labor shortage, prompting the government to consider introducing migrant workers into the hospitality sector. However, no specific timeline has been set for this proposal. Scholars and citizens have expressed concerns about potential job displacement and the negative impact on wages for local workers. Calls have been made for more efficient solutions to alleviate employee workload, rather than solely relying on wage increases. Professor Cheng Chih-yu of National Chengchi University (NCCU) emphasized that even with higher wages, the demanding nature and long hours associated with hospitality work may not attract job seekers. Similarly, Associate Professor Hsin Ping-lung of National Taiwan University (NTU) noted that the labor shortage has intensified workload in the hospitality industry, yet it has not attracted more workers. Professor Cheng suggested a cautious approach to the introduction of migrant workers, considering it as a last resort after exhausting all other means to address the problem. He expressed concerns that if the policy is relaxed, companies may opt for cheaper foreign labor, leading to the displacement of local workers and wage suppression. Additionally, the labor market for older workers and women seeking a second career could be affected.

Apple’s iPhone 15 has propelled the company to the top of the smartphone market, capturing a commanding 47.7 percent market share in 2023. This surge in sales has come at the expense of competitors such as Samsung, which now holds a 22.9 percent market share, and OPPO, which stands at 10.3 percent. Even in China, where Vivo and Redmi are strong players, Apple has made an impact, with each holding a 5.2 percent share. Apple’s total sales have seen a significant increase, with over 160 thousand units sold upon its release, more than double the previous month.

Shin Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial Hospital in Taipei will raise salaries for nursing staff starting in November. Salaries for nurses on the three-shift rotation will increase by NT$1,680, and the monthly salary for new nurses will be raised to NT$43,680. The salary increase is in response to concerns over nurse departures and a shortage of staff, which has led to a reduction in the number of beds in many hospitals. The Taiwan Union of Nurses Association (TUNA) reported a drop in the number of nurses in the country from 187,519 to 185,901 from January through May. As a result, larger hospitals have been forced to close an average of 8% to 10% of beds. Shin Kong Hospital has hired 74 nurses but lost 125 as of September, leading to a decrease in the number of available beds. In addition to the salary increase, the hospital is implementing other incentives such as retention bonuses, team performance bonuses, special allowances, signing bonuses for new hires, and up to four years of free accommodation. The hospital also plans to increase all staff salaries next year in line with a government wage adjustment policy to attract and retain talent.

The National Development Council (NDC) has announced measures to attract 400,000 international professionals by 2030 in order to address a projected labor force shortage of 400,000 by 2030. The NDC plans to establish the ’Talent Taiwan Program’ center in November to provide services and recruitment advice for international talents.

Amidst a worsening nursing shortage exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, Taiwan’s Union of Nurses Association (TUNA) calls on the government for increased financial support and staffing solutions. They propose allowing male nurses to fulfill their military conscription in hospitals and recommend a monthly subsidy for all nursing staff.

Taiwan’s Minister of Labor, Hsu Ming-chun, has stated that the country’s workforce will remain a priority if the employment of migrant workers in the hospitality industry is approved. The Ministry of Transportation and Communications must first make a proposal before any discussions can take place. Hsu emphasized that there is no set timetable for employing foreign laborers in hospitalit

Taiwanese intervention in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, particularly in the Gaza Strip, aims to provide aid. Dr. Hung Shang-kai, an emergency physician from Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and part of Doctors Without Borders, has been stationed in Gaza since July. He hopes to improve the local emergency triage system to help more injured patients due to frequent conflicts and a shortage of medical resources in the area. The Gaza Strip faces challenges such as overdevelopment, saltwater intrusion, clean water shortage, and limited electricity supply, which result in medical supply shortages and hinder specialized treatment. Various organizations are extending their help to locals during these turbulent times.

Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an calls for a comprehensive civil defense plan amid a decline and aging of personnel. The plea comes as Taiwan faces increasing cross-strait tensions and as the National Police Agency seeks to recruit younger volunteers.

Despite Typhoon Haikui moving away, food prices in Taiwan remain high. Imported vegetables have also become more expensive due to disrupted shipping schedules.

A Taiwanese startup that provides couriers for domestic waste pick-up has faced criticism for repeatedly missing scheduled pick-up times, resulting in piles of trash accumulating outside customers’ homes.