Taoyuan now hosts more migrant workers than any other city in Taiwan, and the number who go missing keeps climbing — a growing headache for the city and a sign that working conditions push people to run.

• Migrant workers in Taoyuan passed 140,000 by mid-year, up from 128,000 two years ago.
• Around 12,000 are unaccounted for each year, and the number keeps rising despite more inspections and fines.
• Crime cases involving missing workers jumped from 100 to 349 in three years, and worker traffic deaths and injuries have beaten the national average three years running.
• Most who disappear come from factory jobs; low pay, bad conditions, and debts taken on before coming to Taiwan are the likely drivers.
• City councillors across parties say management has broken down, pointing to unregulated worker dormitories in ordinary neighbourhoods and new migrant-run shops that need health and safety checks.

Outlook: The city says it will step up inspections and work with immigration police, but officials admit the real fix has to come from the central government improving pay and job-switching rights at the source.