In an era where global cooperation is an economic imperative that transcends diplomatic engagements, Taiwan’s position as a manufacturing powerhouse faces a critical challenge.
At the heart of this is a labor shortage that spans from its high-tech industries to agriculture and service industries — which the recent labor agreement with India aims to fill. While this initiative is promising, with mutual benefits and is a milestone in the strategic partnership between India and Taiwan, it has also illustrated the need for balance between economic needs and cultural sensitivities.
The working-age population (aged 15 to 64) reached its peak in 2015 and started declining in 2016, data released by the National Development Council of Taiwan showed. By 2017, the number of elderly people surpassed that of young people, a trend attributed primarily to the country’s low birth rate. This shift marked the beginning of an aging population trend, which is expected to continue until 2050.
Projections indicate that by 2070, the population of children and working-age individuals in Taiwan is to dramatically decrease by 50.7 percent and 52.4 percent, respectively, while the elderly population (aged 65 and over) is to surge by 74.2 percent.
Taiwan’s labor shortage is not merely a statistic reflecting a low birth rate or an aging population; it is critical to the nation’s global competitiveness, especially in the semiconductor sector, where it is an global leader.
Taiwan hosts more than 700,000 migrant workers from nations such as Indonesia, Vietnam and Thailand. However, escalating labor shortages have led to increased demand for more migrant workers. In response to this exigency, a memorandum of understanding (MOU) was formalized on Feb. 16 between the Taipei Economic and Cultural Center in India and the India-Taipei Association in Taiwan, to facilitate the employment of Indian workers in Taiwan.
Addressing the labor shortage problem would introduce new dynamics into the nation’s labor market, bringing challenges such as migrant workers’ rights, cultural sensitivities and their integration into society.
Taiwan in November last year witnessed a wave of misinformation concerning the arrival of 100,000 Indian migrant workers, which ignited a series of discriminatory and xenophobic outbursts across Taiwanese social media platforms.
The recent remarks by Minister of Labor Hsu Ming-chun (許銘春) regarding the recruitment of Indian migrant workers based on dietary preferences and skin color, although intended to ease integration, unintentionally highlighted the difficulty in fostering cultural compatibility without perpetuating stereotypes.
On Monday last week the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a clarification and reaffirmed its dedication to bolstering labor cooperation with India through the agreement.
The “pact aims at fostering people-to-people exchanges and addressing labor shortages, pledges equitable treatment, and legal protections for all qualified Indian workers, irrespective of their ethnic backgrounds,” it stated. This initiative underscores Taiwan’s respect for India’s cultural diversity and its commitment to deepening Indo-Pacific cooperation.
My experiences as an Indian student in Taiwan is one of acceptance and positivity, sharply in contrast with the divisive rhetoric found online. The genuine warmth and openness of the Taiwanese I have encountered shows a society inherently receptive to diversity.
This emphasizes the importance of differentiating between isolated instances of insensitivity and the broader, inclusive spirit of Taiwanese society.
As Taiwan and India work through this important labor agreement, it is crucial to address and break down any discrimination and misconceptions that arise.
Xenophobia toward migrant workers, seen particularly after the announcement of the agreement, goes against the spirit of exchange and cooperation that the agreement seeks to achieve.
A comprehensive approach that includes educational efforts to fight these biases and encourages empathy and understanding is necessary.
The move toward being more international and the development of a multicultural society, driven by the New Southbound Policy since 2016, marks a significant change in how Taiwan views the world. However, the influx of migrant workers to mitigate labor shortages has sparked misunderstandings. Misinformation on the Internet has also worsened fear regarding these workers.
This situation highlights the need for comprehensive education and proactive government involvement.
These efforts must clearly distinguish between genuine cultural sensitivity and outright discrimination, promoting a more inclusive atmosphere.
The longstanding reliance on migrant labor from Southeast Asia sheds light on the potential hurdles Indian workers might face, reflecting broader issues of discrimination and migrant labor rights in Taiwan.
Recent critiques have prompted the government to vocalize its commitment to evolving into a multicultural society, emphasizing the ability of civil society to embrace diverse perspectives and its deep respect for India’s cultural heritage. This stance is pivotal to enhancing cultural exchanges and mutual understanding, aiming to uplift the partnership between Taiwan and India.
The labor agreement between India and Taiwan presents an opportunity for Taiwan to align its economic objectives with values of diversity and human dignity. By adeptly managing these complex issues, Taiwan could establish a society that enjoys economic prosperity and the cultural richness that migrant workers bring.
This strategic approach emphasizes the necessity of integrating economic advancement with cultural inclusiveness to foster a more vibrant and inclusive community.
Uma Chinnannan is a doctoral candidate in the international doctoral program in Asia-Pacific Studies at National Chengchi University.
To The Honorable Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu (韓國瑜): We would like to extend our sincerest regards to you for representing Taiwan at the inauguration of US President Donald Trump on Monday. The Taiwanese-American community was delighted to see that Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan speaker not only received an invitation to attend the event, but successfully made the trip to the US. We sincerely hope that you took this rare opportunity to share Taiwan’s achievements in freedom, democracy and economic development with delegations from other countries. In recent years, Taiwan’s economic growth and world-leading technology industry have been a source of pride for Taiwanese-Americans.
Next week, the nation is to celebrate the Lunar New Year break. Unfortunately, cold winds are a-blowing, literally and figuratively. The Central Weather Administration has warned of an approaching cold air mass, while obstinate winds of chaos eddy around the Legislative Yuan. English theologian Thomas Fuller optimistically pointed out in 1650 that “it’s always darkest before the dawn.” We could paraphrase by saying the coldest days are just before the renewed hope of spring. However, one must temper any optimism about the damage being done in the legislature by the opposition Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) and Taiwan People’s Party (TPP), under
To our readers: Due to the Lunar New Year holiday, from Sunday, Jan. 26, through Sunday, Feb. 2, the Taipei Times will have a reduced format without our regular editorials and opinion pieces. From Tuesday to Saturday the paper will not be delivered to subscribers, but will be available for purchase at convenience stores. Subscribers will receive the editions they missed once normal distribution resumes on Sunday, Feb. 2. The paper returns to its usual format on Monday, Feb. 3, when our regular editorials and opinion pieces will also be resumed.
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