What has spurred ASE’s (Advanced Semiconductor Engineering) interest in long-term care? The company’s focus is on addressing the challenges of an aging society with sub-replacement fertility and the resulting shortage of qualified personnel.

Engaged in constant expansion of production capacity, ASE Technology plans to open seven new manufacturing facilities in Taiwan over the next three years.

However, sub-replacement fertility is a serious issue. ASE subsidiary Siliconware Precision Industries (SPI) has even begun accepting job applications from high school students, underscoring the considerable challenges posed by an aging society.

Elderly and Childcare: Keys to Outpacing TSMC in Recruitment

Businesses are competing fiercely for talent, but we cannot outpace TSMC. The critical factor lies in providing elderly and childcare services that allow employees to focus on their work.

In terms of childcare, for instance, in the Kaohsiung region, we repurposed the former Yuchang Elementary School to establish a kindergarten, providing services for staff.

However, elderly care is a relatively new concern. ASE Technology began addressing this issue five years ago, not only as part of its recruitment strategy but also as an effort to promote social justice and enhance its broader impact.

Sustainability discussions now focus on how to increase positive impacts, with greater responsibility placed on corporations. Consequently, we introduced elderly care to spark discussion and encourage participation from other companies.

Six Daycare Centers Serving Employees’ Parents

ASE Technology employs over 83,000 people in Taiwan. We have established six elderly daycare centers near major facilities in Changhua, Taichung, and Nantzu, which are expected to be completed by April this year.

We introduced a “one-stop care plan,” which includes not only hardware manufacturing and in-home services but also a “care navigation plan” developed with experts. Retired healthcare professionals oversee the implementation of these services.

If an employee encounters an issue with an elderly family member, they can call the center to activate the care plan. Following standard operating procedures (SOPs), we ensure proper care is provided promptly. Over the past year, this program has yielded positive results and has been integrated with in-home services and daycare center operations.

Elderly Care Standards Comparable to Semiconductor Packaging

Some may wonder how corporate involvement in elderly care benefits the government. While ASE does not pursue profits through this initiative, we face two primary questions: Why not outsource these services? And how will we ensure financial viability?

Corporations prioritize quality—just as we aim for high yield rates in semiconductor packaging, we also ensure the quality of elderly care services by managing them in-house and training our caregivers.

We also developed a detailed financial plan to ensure the initiative would, at a minimum, break even. If the services turn a profit, ASE has established ASE Social Enterprise, a wholly-owned subsidiary that operates as a non-profit entity.

Internal surveys revealed a strong demand for elder care among employees, with many compelling stories highlighting the necessity of these services. ASE is considering offering subsidies to further support employees.

Addressing Costs and Challenges

Cost management is a significant challenge. To control expenses, we repurposed decommissioned shuttle buses, typically five to six years old, as transport vehicles. Personnel costs, however, remain substantial.

Given the manufacturing industry’s three-shift system, we are considering nighttime care services. Unfortunately, government subsidies currently cover only daytime services, so we are seeking additional funding.

We plan to invest a total of NT$300 million in this initiative, starting with a pilot program funded by NT$100 million.

Smaller companies may find such initiatives difficult to implement, but collaboration among multiple firms could make it more feasible. Additionally, we hope the government will offer tax incentives to support these efforts, as they are vital investments for attracting talent and addressing the challenges of an aging society.