If I get pregnant while working in Taiwan, will I be terminated or asked to return home?

When you discover you are pregnant while working in Taiwan, many people's first reaction might not be happiness, but fear. Will I be terminated by my employer? Will the agency ask me to return home? Can I continue to work? If the child is born in Taiwan, what will happen afterwards? First, remember one very important thing: pregnancy itself is not illegal for migrant workers, nor is it a reason for employers to terminate contracts or force you to return home. The Ministry of Labor has clearly stated that employers cannot terminate contracts early or force migrant workers to leave the country based on their pregnancy or childbirth. If you experience unfair treatment because of this, you can call 1955 to report it or seek consultation. After discovering your pregnancy, the first thing you should do is confirm your physical condition. You can go to an obstetrics and gynecology clinic or hospital to check your gestational age and inquire about subsequent prenatal check-ups. If you have joined the National Health Insurance (NHI), the costs for consultations and prenatal check-ups will be much lower than paying entirely out-of-pocket. If you do not have NHI yet, you can also check with your employer, agency, or 1955 to see if there is any other insurance or medical assistance available. When you go for a check-up, remember to bring your NHI card, residence permit, passport, or other identification documents. If you are currently taking medication, have a chronic illness, or have recently experienced symptoms such as abdominal pain, bleeding, or dizziness, be sure to tell the doctor. If you have language barriers, you can ask a trusted person to accompany you, or inquire about interpreter and referral resources through 1955. After becoming pregnant, your work content may also need to be adjusted. For example, lifting heavy objects, standing for long periods, working at night, exposure to hazardous substances, or jobs that require frequent assistance with patient mobility can increase physical strain. If the doctor recommends rest, avoiding heavy lifting, or adjusting your work, you can ask the doctor to issue a medical certificate, and then discuss subsequent arrangements with your employer, agency, or 1955. The most important thing at this time is not to be forced into making hasty decisions. Some employers or agencies may present documents for you to sign, claiming it is "voluntary resignation," "voluntary return home," or "contract termination." If you do not understand the content, or if you do not actually wish to resign, do not rush to sign. You can take photos of the documents to keep as evidence and call 1955 for assistance in confirming their nature. If your employer asks you to return home, reduce your salary, refuse medical treatment, or threatens you verbally because of your pregnancy, you should keep records of these incidents. Save text messages, pay stubs, work schedules, prenatal check-up records, medical certificates, and any documents you were asked to sign. These records will be important for future complaints, resettlement, or employer changes. The leave policies, salary, and work arrangements may vary for different types of jobs. Factory, institutional, or other jobs covered by the Labor Standards Act have clearer labor condition regulations. Domestic caregivers and household helpers are currently not covered by the Labor Standards Act, which may make handling their situations more complex. However, this does not mean employers can force you to return home, restrict medical access, withhold documents, or resort to violence. If you do not wish to continue your current job after becoming pregnant, or if the work environment is no longer safe, you should also seek resolution through formal channels. Do not leave your workplace without seeking help, and do not work illegally elsewhere. The safer approach is to first call 1955, explain your situation, and inquire about applying for an employer change, resettlement, or other assistance. If you choose to give birth in Taiwan, there will be issues regarding birth certificates, passports, residency, NHI, and return documents for the child after birth. The actual procedures will vary depending on the parents' nationality, marital status, whether they remain in Taiwan, and the regulations of the mother's country's representative office in Taiwan. For this matter, do not rely solely on friends' experiences; you can consult hospital social workers, your country's representative office in Taiwan, the National Immigration Agency, 1955, or 1990. Pregnancy itself requires a lot of physical and psychological preparation, and it can be even more frightening when working in a foreign land. But you do not have to handle everything alone. Seek medical attention first when you feel unwell; when pressured by your employer or agency, do not sign documents you do not understand; if your personal safety is at risk, call 110 or 119 directly. For labor, resettlement, employer change, or interpreter assistance, you can call 1955. Pregnancy is not a mistake, nor is it a reason to automatically lose your job. Protecting yourself and your child first, and then confirming the next steps through formal channels, is safer than being forced to make decisions out of fear.