The Philippines and Taiwan have renewed the government-to-government programme that allows Taiwanese employers to hire Filipino workers directly, with hotel and hospitality work named as the next sector expected to benefit.

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) welcomed the signing of a new memorandum of understanding between the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) covering the renewed Special Hiring Program in Taiwan, known as the SHPT. Officials from the DMW and the Migrant Workers Office witnessed the signing.

The renewal keeps the programme running through the two offices rather than through formal diplomatic channels, reflecting the way Manila and Taipei handle official dealings under the Philippines' one-China policy. The DMW said the updated agreement was expected to expand employment opportunities for qualified Filipino workers while supporting skills development and career advancement, calling it another milestone in labour cooperation between the two sides.

Hospitality is the new focus. Until now, the programme's published coverage has centred on manufacturing, construction and domestic work. The DMW identified Taiwan's hospitality sector as a key area expected to benefit from the expansion, although it did not say how many hotel jobs the renewal would open or when hiring in the sector would begin.

The programme's main attraction for workers is that it removes the middlemen. Taiwanese employers hire directly, without private agencies, labour brokers or recruiters in either place, and workers do not pay placement or processing fees. Initial contracts run for three years and can be extended for up to 12 years, and authorised salary deductions are limited to national health insurance, labour insurance and income tax.

The arrangement dates back to August 2015, when the two sides agreed to run recruitment through an international direct e-recruitment system for qualified Taiwanese employers. In September, the DMW called for applications for 200 factory workers in Taiwan under the programme, at a monthly salary of 29,500 New Taiwan dollars, or more than 58,000 Philippine pesos at the time.

The hospitality push comes as Taiwan's hotels face a labour shortage. The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office told BusinessWorld in January that the island's hospitality industry would need about 6,600 workers in 2026, with a salary threshold of 32,000 New Taiwan dollars, or about 57,000 pesos, set for foreign skilled workers in the sector. Taiwan has chosen the Philippines as its primary partner for the programme and has set up its first overseas recruitment centre in Manila. About 250,000 Filipinos were living and working in Taiwan as of late 2025, according to the DMW.

The DMW also said more hiring must come with safeguards, including fair and ethical recruitment, decent working conditions and stronger protection of workers' rights and welfare. For now, though, the hospitality expansion remains an announced direction rather than a measured opening: until the department publishes a quota or a first hiring round for hotels, Filipino workers considering the route will need to wait for official hiring announcements.