Taiwan Issues Apology for Controversial Recruitment Remarks
Taiwan’s Ministry of Labour issues apology following controversial remarks on recruitment of Indian workers based on “skin color,” dietary habits, and religion.
Taiwan’s Minister of Labour, Hsu Ming-chun, sparked controversy on February 29 while discussing the newly signed labour mobility agreement with India, suggesting that workers from India’s northeastern states were initially preferred due to perceived similarities in skin color, dietary preferences, and religion.
Backlash and Official Response
Although the interview was published on March 1, the contentious comments gained traction on social media over the weekend.
In response to public backlash, Taiwan’s foreign ministry released an official statement on March 4, expressing regret over the remarks made by the self-governed island’s labour minister.
“The recent remarks from certain government agencies during discussions with relevant sectors in Taiwan’s society were not entirely appropriate,” the ministry stated.
“The government offers sincere apologies for this situation and commits to earnestly reviewing its actions and implementing necessary improvements moving forward.”
India’s Ministry of External Affairs has not officially commented on the controversy.
Bilateral Agreement
This dispute comes in the wake of the signing of a labour mobility agreement between Taiwan and India, aimed at addressing Taiwan’s acute labor shortage by importing workers from India.
India and Taiwan recently concluded a migration and mobility pact to enhance bilateral ties, promoting increased people-to-people engagement and facilitating smoother migration between the two countries.
The semiconductor industry has emerged as a key area of collaboration, highlighted by the establishment of a chip manufacturing plant in Gujarat, western India, as a significant milestone in the bilateral relationship.
India’s Policy and Regional Dynamics
While India adheres to the One China policy officially, it has refrained from reiterating the same in recent years amid strained relations with China. Tensions between the two countries have escalated, with troops engaged in a standoff in the Himalayas since April 2020.
