Taidoc Union Criticizes Alleged Collusion Between Company and Manila Office in Taipei

by Girard Mariano Lopez

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Photo Credit: Girard Mariano Lopez

MIGRANT WORKERS and labor advocates protested Sunday outside the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) in Taipei, accusing the Philippine government’s representatives of siding with management in an ongoing labor dispute at Taiwanese medical device manufacturer Taidoc Technology Corporation.

Members of the Taidoc Technology Labor Union and allied labor groups demanded that the office withdraw a March 10 letter that they say endorsed company management rules and dismissed labor violations already confirmed by local authorities.

Photo credit: Girard Mariano Lopez

The protest comes amid a protracted dispute between Taidoc and its migrant workforce. The labor bureaus in New Taipei City have reportedly fined the company for violating an act regulating labor disputes, while Taiwan’s Ministry of Labor is investigating two complaints alleging anti-union retaliation.

Union leaders say officials from MECO’s Migrant Workers Office met with company representatives but never contacted the union before issuing the letter.

“Several months ago, when our dignity was trampled by inhumane dormitory rules, we sought help from MECO,” said Joanna Rose, director of the Taidoc Technology Labor Union. “Your (MECO’s) only response was to tell us to ‘just resign’”

Photo credit: Girard Mariano Lopez

Labor advocates also criticized what they described as a broader pattern of intimidation against migrant worker organizers.

“What MECO is doing reflects a long history of tactics used to suppress dissent,” said Gilda Banugan, chair of Migrante Taiwan. “You cannot deport the truth, and you cannot erase our demand for justice.”

Photo credit: Girard Mariano Lopez

The March 10th letter, which sparked the protest, was posted by a pro-management social media page of Taidoc known as “TTCEU”. The letter was signed by MECO Taipei’s Migrant Workers’ Office case officer Gina Lin.

Gina Lin is also a prominent figure in Taipei’s Filipino community who has denounced migrant worker unions and labor groups such as Migrante and Serve the People Association—accusing its leaders of recruiting members to join the rebel communist movement in the Philippines.