organized labor in Taiwan

Public Sector Workers Call for Pay Increase

Brian Hioe
Public sector workers, civil servants, and unions of state-owned enterprises demonstrated in late April to call for an increase in pay. This included groups that traditionally are not allowed to have unions, in that public sector workers are not allowed to unionize. This has been a matter of controversy in past years, particularly after deaths of firefighters that led to calls for firefighters being allowed to unionize...
EnglishLaborMay 2026Social Movements3 min read

May Day Sees Demonstrations for Pension Reforms, Against the ROC Constitution

Brian Hioe
Organized labor groups demonstrated on May 1st, commemorated as May Day or International Workers’ Day in different parts of the world. It is estimated that 6,000 were in attendance. What was most distinctive about the march this year was the inclusion of migrant labor unions, not only with their participation but also the incorporation of labor demands for migrant workers into the core demands of the demonstration. The march began at Ketagalan Boulevard in front of the Presidential Office Building, then proceeded to the Legislative Yuan. An action theater skit was held of workers taking hammers to individuals dressed as politicians...
EnglishLaborMay 2026Self-DeterminationSocial MovementsYouth Movements4 min read

Autumn Struggle Labor Demonstration Calls for “Peaceful Reunification”, Features Cheng Li-wun

Brian Hioe
Autumn Struggle, historically one of Taiwan’s two major annual labor protests alongside May Day, took place late last month on November 30th. In recent years, however, Autumn Struggle has become known for its drift toward the KMT, as reflective of the influence of the pro-unification left within Taiwanese labor circles. This was again the case this year, with KMT chair Cheng Li-wun making an appearance at Autumn Struggle...
December 2025EnglishLaborPoliticsSocial Movements5 min read

Labor Groups Push the Government on Policy, Ahead of the Lai Inauguration

Brian Hioe
A number of union groups demonstrated last week to call for inclusion in talks over the new incoming government’s labor policy. This included among Taiwan’s largest coalitions of organized labor groups. The demonstration was fronted by the Taiwan Confederation of Trade Unions, which protested alongside the Kaohsiung City Confederation of Trade Unions, National Federation of Teachers Unions, Taipei Federation of Trade Unions, and Taiwan Federation of Financial Unions...
EnglishJanuary 2024Politics5 min read

Unions Demand Reform of Pension System

Brian Hioe
Union groups demonstrated in front of the Executive Yuan earlier this week over pensions, calling for an increase in the minimum contribution to pensions from employers. The groups included the Taiwan Confederation of Trade Unions, the Taiwan Federation of Financial Unions, the Taipei City Confederation of Trade Unions, the Kaohsiung City Confederation of Trade Unions, the Taipower Union, the Taiwan High-Speed Rail Union, and the Taiwan Water Industry Union. This represents among Taiwan’s largest trade confederations, as well as a number of workers from state-owned enterprises...
EnglishLaborNovember 2023Social Movements4 min read