Brian Hioeby Brian Hioe
語言:
English
Photo Credit: Taidoc Technology Labor Union – TTLU – 泰博科技企業工會/Facebook
FILIPINO MIGRANT WORKERS at the TaiDoc Technology Corporation are demonstrating against union-busting and infringements of the basic rights of migrant workers at the company. TaiDoc is a major medical parts manufacturer based in New Taipei, while migrant workers are organized through the TaiDoc Technology Labor Union (TTLU).
The TTLU is a rare example of a migrant worker union in Taiwan, as the second migrant worker union formed to date. TTLU is registered with the Ministry of Labor as a recognized labor union.
Specifically, TTLU workers are protesting against restrictions on workers. Workers are denied their fundamental freedom of movement, with workers subject to curfews and roll calls. Workers are made to check in at the dormitory by uploading images of themselves, and have restrictions on leaving the dormitories after curfew. If they stay out, even if it is to visit family, they are punished with 30 days of cleaning duty, in which they are made to clean canteens, factory kitchens, and restrooms on the production line. They are threatened with termination and repatriation otherwise.
When workers speak up, they face similar threats of termination and repatriation, with workers sent warning letters in response. Those who accumulate enough warning letters are terminated.
As with other migrant workers, TaiDoc workers are bound to the broker system, in that they have to pay 1,500 NT to 1,800 NT to brokers. No services are offered in return. TaiDoc workers have to pay 18,000 NT when renewing contracts, or they have to pay more than 50,000 NT from a placement fee after being sent back to the Philippines. Some workers who transferred to TaiDoc were also required to pay 18,000 NT. To leave the company, one must pay one month’s salary. Pregnant migrant workers are also sent back to their country immediately. To take leave, migrant workers are, too, required to deposit one month’s salary.
Photo credit: Taidoc Technology Labor Union – TTLU – 泰博科技企業工會/Facebook
With the formation of the TaiDoc union, the company attempted to retaliate by summoning union leaders and pressuring them to turn over member rolls and dissolve the union. The company also held closed-door meetings with migrant workers to pressure them not to join the union, confiscating phones during the meetings. In these meetings, workers were told that they were being influenced by “outside forces” and could lose privileges regarding overtime and bonuses. It was also alleged that forming a union was only for the purpose of receiving a 100,000 NT subsidy from the government.
TaiDoc is best known for the brand FORA and operates in the European and American markets. The company has been warned that Europe and the US are not likely to tolerate allegations of forced labor, as observed in recent actions banning Giant Bicycles by the United States Customs and Border Protection due to evidence of forced labor in supply chains.
The actions of the company in unionbusting, firing pregnant migrant workers, and restricting the freedom of movement of migrant workers are flagrantly illegal. The New Taipei Department of Labor has stated that TaiDoc has been warned over its violations before and that if the company refuses to comply, it will face punishment.
After the TTLU union protested outside the Ministry of Labor on Friday, TaiDoc has refused to answer its demands. It is to be seen how the company responds. It is possible that TaiDoc will simply double down on its actions.
The restrictions on the movements of migrant workers are, unfortunately, not specific to TaiDoc. That migrant workers are confined to dormitories and subject to restrictions on basic freedoms of movement in a way that Taiwanese are not was most visible during the COVID-19 pandemic, when migrant workers in Miaoli were detained in dormitories. At the time, the Miaoli county government defended such practices, in spite of criticisms from progressive youth politicians such as Tseng Wen-hsueh.
TTLU workers have since launched a campaign appealing to the broader public. It is to be seen if this is able to force the company to change its practices, or whether government intervention will be necessary.