Key Points to Note When Signing a Standardized Employment Service Contract

According to Taiwan’s Consumer Protection Act and Employment Service Act, DeHunt organizes the essential points in a clear, consultant-style format. This approach not only helps you quickly understand the contract but also protects you from common job-seeking traps, ensures legal compliance, minimizes disputes, and makes the process practical and straightforward.

1. Preparations Before Signing

• Verify the Legitimacy of the Agency

  Check whether the employment service agency is government-approved and legally registered. You can verify this on the “Taiwan Jobs” platform or with your local Labor Bureau.

• Contract Review Period

  You have the right to review the contract. By law, the agency must allow you at least 3–5 days to take the contract home for review. They cannot pressure you to sign on the spot.

• Complete Basic Information

  Ensure the contract contains full details of both parties, including the names, addresses, and contact information of you and the agency. This prevents disputes and makes verification easier later.

2. Key Clauses That Must Be Clearly Stated

• Service Scope and Fee Details

The contract must specify:

1. Services provided

2. Payment schedule and amounts

3. Number of referrals

4. Service period and refund policy

If no job placement is made, the agency cannot charge any fees upfront.

• No Advance Payments or Hidden Fees

A legal contract must not include prepayments, deposits, or unreasonable charges. The agency cannot demand “additional referral fees” or any disguised surcharges.

• Clear Rights and Obligations for Both Parties

The agency must actively recommend suitable job openings, and the job seeker must provide accurate information. Rights and responsibilities should be clearly stated and balanced.

• Termination, Refunds, and Compensation

The contract must include terms for refunds and compensation if the agency breaches the agreement or fails to provide services. It should also list complaint hotlines, such as the 1955 Labor Hotline.。

• Document Return and Personal Data Protection

The contract should specify all submitted documents (including copies), how they will be returned or destroyed, and compliance with the Personal Data Protection Act.

3. Your Rights and Actions After Signing

• Keep Original and Duplicate Copies

  Both you and the agency must retain signed copies of the contract and all receipts for future reference.

• Do Not Sign Illegal or Unfair Clauses

  The contract must not state:

  • “Advertisements are for reference only” disclaimers

  • Extra charges outside the contract

  • Provisions that unfairly increase your liability or reduce the agency’s responsibility

• What to Do in Case of Disputes

  You can file a complaint with the Labor Bureau, the Consumer Protection Committee, or call the 1955 Labor Hotline to assert your rights or seek assistance.

4. Practical Tips & Real-Life Examples

Example 1

Alice was looking for a job in Taipei. The agency asked her to pay a service fee on the spot. By following the “Three Do’s and Seven Don’ts” principle, she insisted on taking the contract home for review and verified the agency’s license—avoiding a potential scam.

Example 2

Ben received a contract from an agency that included the clause:“Service fees are non-refundable if no job placement is made.”This is an illegal clause and must not be signed!

Key Takeaway

Review the contract carefully, understand every clause, and follow the principles of “no advance payments” and “no signing unreasonable terms.” If you run into problems, collect evidence and contact the proper hotlines to protect your rights effectively.