2022/09/27 |
What Taiwan’s Intermediate Skilled Manpower Classification Means
Taiwan’s new “intermediate skilled manpower” classification has potential to benefit migrant workers and create a more diverse society in the long term. But there is a risk of developing a permanent underclass unable to fully participate in the economic, social, and cultural mainstream of Taiwanese life.
2021/08/19 |
Singaporeans Are Upset About Covid Restrictions. Will They Notice Migrant Workers?
There are likely more people upset about being blocked from going to a restaurant or a gym, because of their vaccination status, than people upset about the prolonged and unfair confinement of tens of thousands of men regardless of their vaccination status.
2021/07/13 |
Between Miaoli and Taoyuan: Taiwan’s Response to Migrant Worker Rights at an Intersection
Miaoli was under fire for confining migrant workers to their dorms in response to a cluster of Covid-19 cases at factories. Taoyuan’s approach is a reminder that it could have been handled better.
2021/05/31 |
Taiwan Approves up to NT$840 Billion for Covid Relief
Middle and low-income households are eligible for subsidies, along with workers in certain industries. Migrant workers and other non-citizen residents, however, are not explicitly included for relief in the measures made public today.
2021/05/26 |
Not Obedience But Dignity: A Message From a Former Migrant Worker
A former domestic worker in Hong Kong for over ten years, Iweng Karsiwen is currently the Chair of Families of Indonesian Migrant Workers (Kabar Bumi). In this exposé, Iweng tells of her experience and challenges with the industry.
2021/01/15 |
Indonesia Delays Migrant Worker Fee Exemption
Indonesia’s state agency in charge of migrant worker protection announced today that it will delay the implementation of the “exemption of placement fee policy” by six months.
2020/10/29 |
What Can Taiwan Learn From South Korea in Recruiting Migrant Workers?
Taiwan has had a labor brokerage system for migrant workers in place for around three decades, but calls are mounting for the government to replace it with a direct-hire scheme. How should Taiwan do it?
2020/10/14 |
Equal Rights for Migrant Workers Now
There are 800,000 Southeast Asian migrant workers in Taiwan doing the jobs locals don’t want or aspire to. They deserve equal rights.
2020/07/29 |
Arrests in Indonesia Probe Into Latest Case of Labor Abuses on Chinese Fishing Boats
Following a spate of revelations about Indonesian workers suffering abusive conditions on board Chinese fishing boats, Indonesian authorities have opened three investigations into at least six deaths.
2020/07/11 |
Singapore’s Ruling Party Wins Crisis Election, But Opposition Gains
Singapore’s ruling People’s Action Party wins the general election again, continuing its uninterrupted streak. But it was also a massive victory for the opposition Worker's Party, which may hold over 10 percent of the parliament seats for the first time.
2020/05/22 |
Will Singapore Search for Its Soul After Covid-19?
Covid-19 has given us many reasons to be pessimistic that Singapore will change, but there's hope.
2019/03/25 |
Southeast Asian Workers Rally to Protest Sexual Abuse, Poor Labor Standards
Migrant workers gathered at Taipei Main Station on Sunday to protest the third-party brokerage system, sexual harassment of female workers, and the government's inaction in affirming human rights for Southeast Asian workers.
2019/03/18 |
OPINION: Taiwan Must Discuss Migrant Worker Safety After Fatal Factory Fires
Taiwan must seriously address unsafe work conditions for migrant workers after its third fatal factory fire in 14 months.
2019/03/15 |
US Human Rights Report Flags Exploitation of Taiwan’s Migrant Workers
The report was released just after a protest against increased work hours for fishermen.
2019/03/08 |
CARTOON: Foreign Students in Taiwan Sold for 'Filthy, Dangerous Shift Work'
This is not just a Han Kuo-yu problem. This is a Taiwan problem.
2019/03/08 |
Has Tsai's New Southbound Policy Opened the Floodgates to Exploitation?
Recent cases of alleged labor abuse raise serious questions of whether the policy exploits by design.
2019/01/26 |
INTERVIEW: '10 Years Taiwan' Directors Dish on Taiwan's Future and Its Present
The News Lens caught up with '10 Years Taiwan' directors Lekal Sumi and Rina Tsou, who discussed what inspired them as directors and how Taiwan can avoid the film's dismal vision of the future.
2019/01/18 |
A Newly Released White Paper Reveals the Future of Taiwan's Cultural Diplomacy
The government has engaged in a conscious effort to raise awareness of Southeast Asian cultures and traditions, writes Wei Chun-ying.