With the number of Indonesian workers absconding from their jobs in Taiwan rising inexorably, and Jakarta seemingly unwilling to face up to the problem, the Council of Labor Affairs (CLA) has decided to stop importing Indonesian workers. The last time Taiwan's government adopted such a measure was in May 2000, when it temporarily stopped importing workers from the Philippines.
There are around 97,000 Indonesians working in Taiwan, mostly as housekeepers and careworkers. They are second in number only to workers from Thailand. Taiwan therefore provides a large number of job opportunities for Indonesians, in effect taking nearly 100,000 unemployed individuals off the hands of the Indonesian government. This contributes to the domestic stability of Indonesia. Under the circumstances, if Indonesia is unwilling to cooperate with Taiwan regarding these workers, the CLA's recent move deserves the public's support.
One way to prevent foreign workers running away from their jobs is to adopt a "quota system." The number of workers from a certain country who abscond in one year could be deducted from that country's quota for the next year. If the proportion of workers running away exceeds a certain level over a number of years, then more drastic measures could be taken, such as freezing the further import of workers from that country or even deporting all that country's workers already in Taiwan. The importing country in this kind of situation should have absolute power to make such decisions in accordance with its own needs.
The government must impose tougher and stricter controls on foreign workers that also correspond with Taiwan's foreign-affairs policies. The exporting countries must learn that Taiwan's importation of their workers not only increases their foreign reserves, but also helps them avoid the social problems associated with high unemployment.
Therefore, Taiwan should incorporate the importation of foreign workers into its diplomatic strategies, demanding that the exporting countries demonstrate basic goodwill and respect toward Taiwan. Whether to import workers from a certain country is a decision entirely within the discretion of the "buyer." If the "supplier" repeatedly refuses to work with Taiwan, Taiwan has every right to stand up for itself. Workers in many countries are ready and willing to work here.
For example, not long ago the CLA announced its intention to import Mongolian workers. In fact, in Asia, there are many countries from which Taiwan can import workers. Even workers from the Middle East and North Korea could be considered.
This newspaper has proposed importing workers from North Korea, which has a large, well-educated, highly skilled and diligent work force. However, as a result of the country's ruinous economy, these people have no opportunity to put their talents to good use. Taiwan could import North Korean workers to replace Indonesian ones. South Korea would also appreciate such a move. It sent about 150,000 workers to the Middle East in the 1970s, earning the country a lot of "oil dollars." Increasing the North's income in this way would also help the South's "Sunshine Policy."
Taiwan has very limited resources to expand its foreign relations. Importing foreign workers is one of the few meaningful bargaining chips it has. Taiwan's government would be much more successful internationally if it can incorporate the two.
The CLA should work with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) on diversified labor importation policies that take into consideration the country's diplomatic needs. Diversifying the sources of Taiwan's labor to avoid dependency on any one country would make Taiwan less vulnerable to threats and intimidation.
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