【英语时差8，16】外来移民扩大经济大饼

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In Taiwan, the debate over the issue of migrant workers has been re-ignited with the recent change in government. The Taiwan Confederation of Trade Union recently called for controls on the number of foreign workers, as they believe unemployed¹ local people would benefit from less competition for jobs.

Others are calling for even more foreign workers who are willing to work for the minimum wage, which was increased in 2007 to NT$17,280 per month.

A growing international consensus² says that foreign workers aren't taking jobs from locals. Some American economists³ have argued that the national agricultural economy would fail without the work force provided by migrant workers.

The story is similar in Taiwan, with the majority of foreign workers employed in strenuous⁴ construction jobs, factory work or in caring for senior citizens.

The idea that without foreign workers, Americans or Taiwanese would be willing to pick fruit, do construction work, and look after the elderly or infirm－all for minimum wage－is naive⁵.

As we begin another round of debate over workers from abroad, let's try to forge⁶ a "win-win" situation in which both Taiwan and foreign workers benefit.

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