The government should communicate with labor rights groups about the potential impact on workers if the US imposes a 32 percent tariff on Taiwanese products, the Taiwan Labor Action Coalition in Response to Tariff Impact said yesterday.
The coalition, which was officially established yesterday by members of about 70 workers’ unions, called for communication with the government amid the nation’s ongoing negotiations with Washington over the trade issue.
The EU has estimated that US tariffs could affect 5 million European workers, while government officials in Taiwan assessed that at least 500,000 workers would be affected, the coalition’s labor issue specialist Chen Po-chien (陳柏謙) said.
Photo: CNA
“Since early April, President William Lai (賴清德) and Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) have had more than 20 meetings with industry representatives. Unfortunately, they have not had any meetings with workers’ unions. So, we formed a coalition today so that the government can listen to us,” Chen said.
Although Ministry of Labor officials have met with workers’ union representatives across the nation, they mostly spoke about reinforcing professional training for workers and assisting those who lose their jobs in returning to the job market, Chen said.
“Labor officials seemed to be telling workers that the best they can do is to handle the aftermath of workers losing jobs because of tariffs,” Chen said.
“We know that we cannot possibly participate in bilateral trade negotiations, but we want to know the government’s labor policy while it negotiates with the US and to be given a chance to express our thoughts on this matter,” he said.
The coalition demanded that the government respond to its petition, saying that otherwise it would mobilize workers and their families to protest.
The machinery industry is bracing for the first wave of impact from the US tariffs, Taiwan Machinery Industry Labor Union Federation chairman Tuan Wei-chung (段維中) said, adding that the industry is already in a precarious state due to wars and the appreciation of the New Taiwan dollar against the US dollar.
Many small manufacturers of screws in Kaohsiung have gone bankrupt, and they could be destroyed if the tariffs target their products, Tuan said.
Workers are anxious about the US imposing tariffs on Taiwanese products, because they are not sure if the affected companies can continue normal operations and whether they would lay off employees, Taiwan Confederation of Trade Union chairman Tai Kuo-rong (戴國榮) said.
“The government should have short, medium and long-term response strategies regarding US tariffs’ potential impacts on Taiwanese workers,” Tai said. “The government should have a transparent three-way conversation with employers and workers.”
The Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association has cautioned Japanese travelers to be vigilant against pickpockets at several popular tourist spots in Taiwan, including Taipei’s night markets, the Yongkang Street area, Zhongshan MRT Station, and Jiufen (九份) in New Taipei City. The advisory, titled “Recent Development of Concerns,” was posted on the association’s Web site under its safety and emergency report section. It urges travelers to keep backpacks fully zipped and carried in front, with valuables placed at the bottom of the bag. Visitors are advised to be especially mindful of their belongings when taking photos or speaking on the phone, avoid storing wallets and
ENDORSING TAIWAN: Honduran presidential candidate Nasry Afura said that Honduras was ‘100 times better off’ when it was allied with Taipei The Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday said it would explore the possibility of restoring diplomatic relations with Honduras based on the principle of maintaining national interests and dignity. The ministry made the remarks in response to reporters’ questions regarding an article titled: “Will Taiwan Regain a Diplomatic Ally?” published in The Diplomat on Saturday. The article said Honduras’ presidential election in November could offer Taiwan the chance to regain an ally, as multiple candidates have promoted re-establishing diplomatic relations with Taiwan. Honduras severed diplomatic ties with Taiwan in March 2023 in favor of Beijing, but since switching its diplomatic recognition,
Scoot announced yesterday that starting in October, it would increase flights between Taipei and Japan’s Narita airport and Hokkaido, and between Singapore and Taipei. The low-cost airline, a subsidiary of Singapore Airlines, also said it would launch flights to Chiang Rai in Thailand, Okinawa and Tokyo’s Haneda airport between December and March next year. Flights between Singapore and Chiang Rai would begin on Jan. 1, with five flights per week operated by an Embraer E190-E2 aircraft, Scoot said. Flights between Singapore and Okinawa would begin on Dec. 15, with three flights per week operated by Airbus A320 aircraft, the airline said. Services between Singapore
A fourth public debate was held today about restarting the recently decommissioned Ma-anshan Nuclear Power Plant, ahead of a referendum on the controversial issue to be held in less than two weeks. A referendum on Aug. 23 is to ask voters if they agree that “the Ma-anshan Nuclear Power Plant should continue operations upon approval by the competent authority and confirmation that there are no safety concerns.” Anyone over 18 years of age can vote in the referendum. The vote comes just three months after its final reactor shut down, officially making Taiwan nuclear-free. Taiwan People’s Party Chairman Huang Kuo-chang (黃國昌) represented
RSS