CLA head rebukes claims of worker exploitation

2001/8/27

Zep Hu, The China Post

In defense of accusations of exploitating foreign labor's right, the chairperson of the Council of Labor Affairs (CLA) Chen Chu yesterday said the brokers of the workers in their home countries are the ones exploiting them, not the Taiwan government.

"The home country brokers have asked for too much in brokerage fees," said Chen. "They should do something about that fact before accusing Taiwan, since we have cut our brokering fees in conjunction with approving the policy of 'accommodation deduction'".

"If the CLA has put a leash on local brokers, so should the home countries," added Chen.

Chen insisted, "If these countries remain indifferent to their brokers and refuse to accept our policy on 'accommodation deduction', the CLA will have no option but to cancel labor links with that country and import the workers from other countries."

The foreign representatives with labor links to Taiwan, have yet to make official responses to Chen's comments.

On the issue of "accommodation deduction from foreign worker's salary," she said, "it is to put the foreign worker and local worker on the same standard, which means both parties will share the same rights in basic salary, working conditions, and protection."

"Our Labor Standards Law rules that the accommodation can be deducted from the salary, and that's the reason why the employment panel of the EDAC passed the consensus on that issue."

"We have done a lot for protecting the laborers rights, though mostly remain unappreciated," said Chen. "We have been under pressure from the president, the cabinet, and the public, demanding us to cancel the basic wage system and to delink the foreign worker's salary from local workers, but we refused both of the proposals."

Chen continued, "If the CLA allowed the plenary session of the Economical Development Advisory Council (EDAC) to delink the basic wage of foreign workers from local workers, then we would obligated to do so."

On the issue of some foreign missionaries who have been allegedly interrogated and threatened by the police, Chen said "I didn't hear about it, but it is very unlikely the government will expel them out of political reasons."

"The DPP has fought for human rights for years. And if they have been mistreated in any way, they can call me or the CLA for assistance," added Chen.

"I believe Father Bruno Ciceri has some misunderstanding on the foreign worker salary issue, and misses the right target in their protest."

Father Bruno is the coordinator in foreign worker's protest outside the EDAC building, and he told the China Post that police have threatened to expel him after his protest on Aug. 24.

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