Taiwan’s Ministry of Labour has voiced its support for a proposal by legislators to increase the total number of years that foreign nationals can work in Taiwan, but only on the condition that such an extension will not affect job opportunities for locals, reports The Taipei Times.

Led by Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislator Chiang Huei-chen, 19 legislators yesterday proposed an amendment to the Employment Service Act (就業服務法) that would allow foreign workers to work a total of 15 years in Taiwan, compared with the maximum 12 at present.

Lawmakers also proposed getting rid of a regulation requiring migrant workers to leave the country for at least a day when their work permit expires before re-entering the country to work under a renewed or new permit.

Minister of Labour Chen Hsiung-wen said he supported the amendment, adding that he thinks it would solidify relationships between employees and employers, save on training costs, and keep talented foreign workers in Taiwan.

Extending how long foreigners can work domestically would help employers retain people who meet their needs, he said.

“Such a move would not increase the number of foreign workers in Taiwan, but it will help economic development and social stability,” Mr Chen said.

He was, however, less supportive of the proposal to get rid of the re-entry requirement, saying that it must be further discussed.

Ministry statistics show that as of 28 February 2015, there were 513,570 legally employed foreign workers in Taiwan, as well as 44,204 foreign workers whose whereabouts were unknown.