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2024-10-09

[China Steel Express Union] 300 Seafarer Families in Crisis: Is the Labor Ministry Shielding China Steel?

Since July, China Steel Express(CSE), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the state-owned Steel Group (CSG), has illegally terminated the labor and health insurance for Taiwanese seafarers and delayed reassigning shore-based Taiwanese seafarers to ships, pushing over 300 families into financial distress. When over 100 Taiwanese seafarers had their labor and health insurance unlawfully cut off by CSE in July, The CSE Union has immediately reported it to the Ministry of Labor, arguing that the labor contracts should be indefinite and the termination illegal. However, the Ministry did not intervene. Instead, in late July, the Bureau of Labor Insurance indirectly accepted the company illegal practice and redirected the responsibility for determining the labor contracts’ nature back to the union and seafarers, suggesting they seek help from local labor authorities or courts. This response essentially defended CSG and CSE from their unlawful actions. It has been over 100 days since CSE illegally terminated seafarers’ insurance. The union, affected seafarers, and their families, have reached their limit. Tomorrow morning (the 9th), they will mobilize a large-scale protest to the Ministry of Labor, demanding that Minister Ho Pei-shan’s commitment to resolving the issue. They demand immediate action to correct the company's illegal actions, allowing the wrongfully dismissed seafarers to return to work and secure their families' livelihoods. The Union stresses that if the Ministry of Labor doesn’t promise to help the wrongfully dismissed seafarers return to work and restore their insurance, hundreds of seafarers, their families, and supporters will "enter" the Minister Ho Pe-shan's office to petition directly. They won’t leave without a substantial guarantee and may go to the National Day event at the Presidential Office Plaza on the morning of the 10th to directly petition President Lai Ching-te for help.

2024-09-20

[China Steel Express Union] Taiwanese Seafarers' Rights: Over 130 Unions Urge Labor Minister to Act!

In recent years, China Steel Express (CSE) has sold ships and reflagged them to prioritize the hiring of seafarers from China, resulting in the dismissal of over 300 Taiwanese crew members. Worse still, the company terminated the health and labor insurance of 100 onshore seafarers, causing financial distress for their families. The union has been appealing to the Ministry of Labor, but so far, there has been no response. To express solidarity with the affected sailors and demand action from the Ministry of Labor, over 130 labor unions have united to submit a petition. We are urging immediate intervention to resolve the issue. To protect the rights and livelihoods of Taiwanese seafarers and their families, the union has conducted a strike vote. With strong support from members, the union has secured the first legal strike in Taiwan's maritime history. Mr. Mao Zhengkuo, who has led several successful strikes in the past, will lead a task force to train our members for the upcoming strike. We are determined to take all necessary actions to defend seafarers' job rights.

2024-09-03

Historic First in Taiwan's Maritime Industry! China Steel Express Union Secures Legal Right to Strike!

86% of Onboard Members and 90% of Voting Members Back the Strike To defend the employment rights of Taiwanese seafarers, the China Steel Express (CSE) Union held a strike vote between August 16~30, conducted in accordance with the Labor Dispute Act. The vote took place simultaneously on 21 ships at sea and onshore. Today, under the supervision of union officials and legal advisors, the ballots were counted, revealing a significant outcome. Out of 487 CSE Union members, 413 voted, with an 85% turnout. Of those, 371 members (90%) voted to strike, securing the legal right to strike. This marks the first legal strike for seafarers in Taiwan's maritime history. Notably, union members on 21 ships currently at sea had a 99% turnout, with 86% voting in favor of the strike. This overwhelming support is a strong demonstration of Taiwanese seafarers’ dedication to defending their employment rights. The union calls on the company and authorities to promptly address its core demands: reducing the employment of foreign seafarers and prioritizing the hiring of Taiwanese seafarers. The union will convene a representative assembly and board meeting this week to discuss strike plans and organize allied unions for large-scale protests. The strike vote was triggered by CSE's unilateral termination of health and labor insurance for reserve seafarers on July 2, 2024. Despite the union's persistent negotiations, the company refused to reinstate the insurance and misleadingly claimed that the union's rejection of labor-management negotiations caused the issue. As a last resort, the union initiated the strike vote to achieve open and honest negotiations with the company and secure the most basic employment rights for its members. To resolve the dispute, the Labor Bureau chaired a labor-management negotiation on August 26. However, the meeting yielded no results, as the management, represented by Lin Jin-Jun, showed no sincere intent to negotiate. Consequently, the union raised the following demands: Replace the incompetent manager Lin Jin-Jun, who lacks maritime experience and exhibits poor labor relations and leadership. Reinstate labor and health insurance for reserve seafarers in accordance with Seafarer Act Article 52. Allow Taiwanese seafarers the choice between fixed-term and indefinite-term employment contracts as per Labor Standards Act Article 9. Prioritize the employment of Taiwanese seafarers according to the Constitution and the Employment Service Act. Ensure no retaliation in any form. Press Contact: Wang Qinghong, President, China Steel Express Union (0966-557-709)

2024-08-16

Historic First Maritime Strike Vote: China Steel Express Casts Ballots on 21 Ships

[Cool Loud News -Reporter Wang Haozhong] In the past five years, the state-owned China Steel Express (CSE) has replaced over 300 Taiwanese seafarers with Chinese crew members. From August 16th to August 30th, the CSE union held a strike vote, demanding priority hiring for Taiwanese seafarers once current contracts expire and ensuring maritime personnel receive the same compensation packages as office staff. This is the first strike vote in Taiwan's maritime history, held simultaneously on 21 ships of the CSE fleet, both at sea and docked. Wang Qinghong, President of the CSE Union, stressed that as a state-owned company, China Steel Express should set a benchmark in safeguarding labor rights. If CSE seafarers continue to face job insecurity and forced resignations without government intervention, Taiwanese seafarers will have no option but to fight back. Wang confidently stated that the union would secure the right to strike through legal voting procedures. Should the authorities remain indifferent, Taiwanese seafarers are ready to strike at sea anytime. https://www.coolloud.org.tw/node/98646 https://www.facebook.com/share/p/uzDPAkhXZn51UEbD/?mibextid=oFDknk

2024-08-12

State-Owned CSC Blamed for Maritime Job Losses: Over 300 Taiwanese Seafarers Forced Out in 5 Years

2024-07-01

Oppose Food App Merger: Defend Fair Competition and Workers' Rights

Uber Eats recently announced a merger with foodpanda, which would push their combined market beyond 80%. If approved, Uber Eats would gain a monopoly in Taiwan's food delivery market. Currently, local delivery platforms charge restaurant partners over 30% in commissions, much higher than the 15% cap commonly enforced in the US and Europe. This merger would further reduce competition in Taiwan’s market, and harming both consumers and businesses, and exacerbating the already inadequate labor protections for delivery workers. In Kaohsiung alone, there are an estimated 15,000 delivery workers, many of whom are family members or friends of our union members. To prevent a complete monopoly and protect delivery workers’ labor rights, we oppose the merger proposal and urge the Ministry of Labor to prioritize these workers’ rights. Currently, food delivery platforms sign “contract agreements” with delivery workers to avoid "employment relationships". In practice, they act as the de facto employers who exercise direct command, supervision, and control over the workers. For instance, the platforms impose on the delivery workers a strict customer rating system to reinforce control. Such a system only makes sense within an employment relationship. In light of the proposed Uber Eats and foodpanda merger, we have the following demands: Oppose the merger, which would harm the rights of consumers, businesses, and delivery workers. We urge the Fair Trade Commission to prohibit the merger and impose administrative penalties. We urge the Ministry of Labor not to merely delegate self-regulation to local authority for delivery platforms. With over 150,000 delivery workers in Taiwan, the ministry should recognize them as platform employees and penalize platforms for making workers sign contract agreements. Labor laws, including the Labor Standards Act, must be enforced to protect delivery workers’ labor rights, and a dedicated law should be enacted to fill gaps in legal protections. https://www.coolloud.org.tw/node/98484

2024-06-03

[Kaohsiung Education Union] Sheng-Li Principal Abuses Power, Disrupts Campus Order

Principal Li Jinshi obstructed the Union’s operations and refused to deduct union dues, resulting in two Ministry of Labor rulings for 'unfair labor practices,' each fined NT$100,000. Additionally, he allegedly bullied staff on campus, mistreated faculty and union leaders, and repeatedly sued teachers and parents of students. He also filed defamation lawsuits against Union leaders for exposing his various mismanagement issues. After losing the lawsuit, he refiled it, but the Kaohsiung High Prosecutor’s Office swiftly reviewed and dismissed the case. With so many instances of misconduct by the principal, how can teachers and students feel secure in teaching and learning under such management! Press Contact: Wang Qinghong, Acting Chairman, Kaohsiung Independent Federation of Union Mobile: 0966557709 Li Xianneng, Chairman, Kaohsiung Education Union Mobile: 0931329982

2024-05-30

Inside Chunghwa Telecom: Performance at the Cost of Employee Well-Being

Taiwan Telecommunications Network Union Press Release: Chunghwa Telecom’s Push for Results Drives Staff Burnout and Exits Chunghwa Telecom (CHT) is set to hold a shareholders meeting on May 31, 2024 to announce that employees have achieved high revenue growth for six consecutive years, with earnings per share reaching 4.76 in 2023, attributing this success to the joint efforts of employees and partners. However, the Taiwan Telecommunications Network Union (TTNU) has pointed out significant management issues within Honghua International (HHI), CHT’s fully-owned subsidiary responsible for front-line customer service. HHI employees complain that, to meet CHT's ever-increasing performance goals, HHI management employs high-pressure tactics, forcing employees to work overtime constantly. Hsu Fuli, Chairman of TTNU, raised concerns about CHT’s extreme performance targets for HHI. The resulting unreasonable overtime demands jeopardize employees' mental health, causing issues like anxiety and insomnia. Forced overtime and high-pressure management have driven away many senior employees, further complicating recruitment efforts. Qiu Xiaotong, Deputy Chairman of TTNU, highlighted that the lack of training for new employees makes it difficult for them to adapt to complex operations, such as integrating fixed and broadband lines and meeting strict evaluations. Consequently, the turnover rate for new hires is high, perpetuating a vicious cycle. Qiu Wenxia, Secretary General of TTNU, stated that NHI employs various coercive tactics to impose overtime demands on employees. One such method involves leveraging training opportunities as a tool for compliance, leaving those denied access to training with no opportunity to enhance their skills. Chairman Xu Fuli pointed out that NHI’s well-known reputation for exploitative overtime practices has made it increasingly difficult to attract new hires. With chronic understaffing, current employees are left to bear the brunt of excessive overtime, creating a vicious cycle. Chairman Guo Shuiyi of CHT is likely aware of the situation but continues to overlook the façade of success that hides NHI’s worsening working conditions. The union is calling on Chairman Guo to abide by labor laws and place the health and well-being of employees as a top priority. For media inquiries: Xu Fuli, Chairman, Taiwan Telecommunications Network Union– 0937332666 Qiu Wenxia, Secretary General, Taiwan Telecommunications Network Union – 0937332882 E-mail：tnu0501@gmail.com Webside: http://tnu.org.tw

2024-04-29

Health and Welfare Committee Backs Equal Labor Relief Motion

Thanks to Legislative Yuan Health and Welfare Committee Conveners Wang Yumin, Chen Jinghui, and Chiu Zhenjun for Proposing Equal Labor Relief Rights and Approved as a Temporary Motion on April 25, 2024 On April 9, 2024, the Kaohsiung Independent Federation of Unions (KIFU) submitted a petition to the KMT caucus in the Legislative Yuan, followed by another to KMT Chairman Eric Chu on April 20. The union called for labor equality and the protection of oppressed workers and unions in southern and outlying regions. They urged legislators to propose the establishment of a 'Tribunal for Unfair Labor Practices and Arbitration Committee' at Executive Yuan service centers by May 1, 2024, Labor Day, to facilitate local arbitration of labor disputes. On April 25, 2024, KMT legislators Chen Ching-hui, Wang Yu-min, and Chiu Chen-chun proposed and passed a motion during the 13th meeting of the Legislative Yuan's Health and Welfare Committee. The motion highlighted inefficiencies in the current operations of the Unfair Labor Practices Arbitration Committee, established under the Labor Dispute Act in 2009. Despite recent measures like virtual hearings and travel subsidies for workers and unions, the system still fails to address the challenges faced by participants from remote areas, leading to unequal access and additional burdens. The motion called on the Ministry of Labor to explore the feasibility of establishing arbitration committees in central and southern Taiwan and to submit a written report to the committee within a month. Zhang Xu-zhong, Chairman of KIFU, emphasized that since 2017, the union has been advocating for the establishment of arbitration committees at central, southern, and eastern Taiwan under the Executive Yuan regional office. These committees should appoint local scholars, experts, and union officials as arbitrators. This proposal, backed by the Kaohsiung City Council, was submitted to the Ministry of Labor on May 7, 2018 (Document No. 10733265300). However, the Ministry only agreed to reimburse union transportation costs for arbitration applications. In comparison, the Taiwan High Court has branch courts in Taichung, Kaohsiung, Tainan, and Hualien, ensuring local access to justice while the workers in these regions have to spend much time and money travelling to Taipei for arbitration cases. Furthermore, throughout Taiwan's history, many key political leaders—from the president and vice president to the heads of all five branches—have come from the south. Yet, despite this representation, workers and unions in southern and eastern Taiwan still face unfair labor practices and must often travel to Taipei to seek justice. This situation sharply contrasts with the government’s stated commitment to supporting marginalized workers. On the eve of Labor Day 2024, KMT legislators Wang Yu-min, Chen Ching-hui, and Chiu Chen-chun swiftly proposed measures to address union demands, showcasing the party's commitment to labor rights. We extend our heartfelt gratitude and hope that legislators across party lines will support Kaohsiung City Council's resolution urging the Ministry of Labor to establish arbitration committees in various regions. This would ensure local handling of labor disputes and uphold the centers' mission to serve local communities. Press Contact: Zhang Xu-zhong, Chairman, Kaohsiung Independent Federation of Unions Mobile phone: 0937-678-228 Carlos Wang, Acting Chairman, Kaohsiung Independent Federation of Unions Mobile phone: 0966-557-709

2020-02-27

[China Steel Express Union] 300 Seafarer Families in Crisis: Is the Labor Ministry Shielding China Steel?

[China Steel Express Union] Taiwanese Seafarers' Rights: Over 130 Unions Urge Labor Minister to Act!

Historic First in Taiwan's Maritime Industry! China Steel Express Union Secures Legal Right to Strike!

Historic First Maritime Strike Vote: China Steel Express Casts Ballots on 21 Ships

State-Owned CSC Blamed for Maritime Job Losses: Over 300 Taiwanese Seafarers Forced Out in 5 Years

Oppose Food App Merger: Defend Fair Competition and Workers' Rights

[Kaohsiung Education Union] Sheng-Li Principal Abuses Power, Disrupts Campus Order

Inside Chunghwa Telecom: Performance at the Cost of Employee Well-Being

Health and Welfare Committee Backs Equal Labor Relief Motion

Union Advisor's Key Paper on TSWU, TNU, and Taiwan Labor Movement