Deciphering Migrant Worker Policy Divergence in Taiwan and South Korea

• In Event: Foreign Workers or Future Citizens in East Asia?

Abstract

Recent studies suggest that the concept of the developmental migration state helps explain why both Taiwan and South Korea maintain restrictive immigration policies despite their high levels of political and economic development. They prioritize economic development, social stability, and national security over democratic principles and equality.
However, the developmental migration state logic fails to fully elucidate the question: why there are fewer rights and protections for migrant workers in Taiwan compared to South Korea? To address this puzzle, this paper emphasizes the importance of not only considering the significant role of civil society in advocating for migrant workers' rights but also focusing on the state bureaucracy itself when analyzing immigration policies. Furthermore, the state bureaucracy should not be perceived as a monolithic entity driven by singular uniform interests; instead, it should be understood as a composite consisting of fragmented institutions capable of pursuing multiple, potentially conflicting goals. Indeed, bureaucrats can influence policies based on their own career and organizational interests.
By examining the development of migrant worker policies and conducting interviews with bureaucrats, NGOs, and scholars from Taiwan and South Korea, this paper underscores the interplay between different actors, institutions, and interests in the policy-making process, particularly regarding intra-governmental competition. Specifically, it demonstrates the political opportunity structures that shape the divergence in migrant worker policies between Taiwan and South Korea.
The findings of this research contribute to the growing literature on the East Asian migration state and redefine the concept of the developmental migration state by not only focusing on historical context and political culture but also emphasizing the agency of bureaucrats within the state.

Authors

• Guan-Jie Chen, National Taiwan University

• Yi-Chun Chien, National Chengchi University