Ruling and opposition trade barbs on Indian migrant worker scheme

Ruling and opposition trade barbs on Indian migrant worker scheme

2026-04-13

The Minister of Labor, Hung Shen-han recently announced that Taiwan will introduce 1,000 migrant workers from India, a decision that was met with fierce opposition from the public. By late afternoon Monday, almost 35,000 signed a petition urging the labor minister to reconsider the policy, which is based on an MOU signed two years ago between Taiwan and India. In the face of intense public backlash, ruling and opposition parties have started trading barbs on the issue.

Wang Hung-wei
Lawmaker (KMT)
The entirety of DPP-affiliated Bluebirds is going all out to shift the blame onto opposition parties. But allow me to ask, back when the Executive Yuan’s labor and foreign ministries signed the MOU, were the Legislative Yuan’s opposition parties the ones that made you sign it?

The KMT legislative caucus held a press conference on Monday morning to oppose the introduction of migrant workers from India. The administration plans to introduce 1,000 Indian workers from the northeastern state of Mizoram by year-end.

Chuang Jui-hsiung
Lawmaker (DPP)
Protecting the rights and interests of local workers, solving Taiwan’s industry-wide labor shortage, and ensuring the rights and interests of migrant workers—these three aspects were the center of discussions then at the Legislative Yuan. But now the KMT is throwing us another question, asking us how we plan to deal with the issue of public security. Well, speaking of which, it’s on all three political parties to urge the public to rationally discuss this issue.

The DPP retorts that the KMT has backpedalled on its support for the policy. They also urge the opposition to foster constructive discussions on the issue.

Chiu Cheng-chun (June 26, 2024)
Lawmaker (KMT)
Our labor shortage is a serious problem. Just now, when the minister answered questions from other legislators, she mentioned that we’ll start with 1,000 people. We also hope that she’ll implement this as soon as possible.

Jonathan Lin
Lawmaker (KMT)
Back then, we were referring to India’s highly skilled engineers, like those in Silicon Valley. They would actually be beneficial to our science parks. I think that’s a good thing. But we now know that it’s entry-level workers we’re speaking of.

Many Taiwanese citizens also oppose the policy. Within five days, more than 30,000 have signed an online petition for the Executive Yuan and the Ministry of Labor to immediately terminate plans to introduce Indian workers. The Ministry of Labor responded by saying that they will fully consider and assess the impact of the scheme on the wider society and that they won’t move the scheme forward hastily.

Lin Yueh-chin
Lawmaker (DPP)
What you’re mentioning now is definitely not what KMT lawmakers were saying. Our discussions then were on how we should introduce the workers, and how soon. I also hope that the KMT will remember what they’ve said.

Though there are currently Indian workers living in Taiwan, their jobs are mostly in the tech and engineering sectors. But the new policy aims to bring in Indian nationals as migrant workers in entry-level manufacturing.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#migrantworkers #international #labor #migration #印度移工

逾3萬人連署停引進印移工藍綠開炮互轟

2026-04-13

勞動部長洪申翰，日前表態首批1000人印度移工，最快今年年底將從印度 "米佐拉姆邦"引進，不過國民黨立委王鴻薇、王育敏和林沛祥砲轟民進黨，質疑配套不足、更質疑當初是談MOU，希望引進高階工程師，現在卻說是基層移工，不過綠營立委點名，國民黨的邱鎮軍、廖偉翔，明明備詢說樂觀其成、要國民黨「別忘自己說過的話」。

[[立委(國) 王鴻薇]]
“整個民進黨的側翼青鳥，鋪天蓋地，要把這個鍋甩鍋給在野黨，請問一下當時勞動部，行政院外交部去簽這個備忘錄，是立法院在野黨讓你們去簽署的嗎？”

國民黨立院黨團，一早砲火對準執政黨，首批印度移工最快年底將從印度東北米佐拉姆邦引進，引發藍營立委不滿，第一時間民進黨也反擊。

[[立委(民) 莊瑞雄]]
在保障本國勞工，還有滿足我們台灣整個產業的缺工，那保障外國的一個移工，這三個面向裡面，當初立法院討論的其實是這個，那現在（藍營）又蹦出一個問題說，那還有這個治安的問題怎麼辦，那我們在這個地方，三個政黨其實應該共同來呼籲啊，社會要理性來做討論。

國民黨的說法立委莊瑞雄不買單，質疑國民黨對印度移工配套不足和治安問題，前後說法不一。

[[立委(國) 邱鎮軍(2024)]]
“我們這個缺口的問題實在是非常嚴重，剛剛我也聽到部長，在其他委員質詢的時候有提到，就是我們第一步是從1000人開始，那我們也希望這個部分能夠儘快。”

[[立委(國) 林沛祥]]
“當初我們講的是印度的高階工程師，像在矽谷那樣子，可以實質上幫助我們科技園區，我認為這是好事，我們現在知道的是比較像基層的勞工。”

打開連署網站，建請行政院與勞動部立即中止印度勞工引進計畫目前約有三萬兩千人連署，勞動部表態，將充分評估與把關，不會躁進，只是面對在野黨的批評，綠營立委認為他們說法前後矛盾。

[[立委(民) 林月琴]]
“國民黨的委員們討論的重點，根本不是像剛剛你所提的那樣子，那時候在討論說啊怎麼引進，要多快引進，那也請國民黨記得自己講過的話。”

目前在台灣印度工作者，多數在科技與工程領域，這回引進的基層勞工則將投入製造業。

更多新聞內容，請鎖定：
民視台灣台（152頻道）週一至週五晚上9:30
民視新聞台（53頻道）週二至週六凌晨1:00

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Chang Wei-teng
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A career in electrical engineering is a dream to most people, but looking back, I realized there are many things we can do in this life. I wanted to do what I feel most confident about doing.

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It’s what he’s interested in. His dad wanted him to go elsewhere for work, but he didn’t want to. Doing this, you’re at the mercy of nature.

Chang’s wife, Huang Tzu-hui, is a practicing nurse. It was actually Chang’s grandmother who brought them together.

Chang Wei-teng
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You could say my grandmother was matchmaker. She was sick at the time. I noticed how patient the nurse was and thought she had a wonderful personality. After getting to know her, she didn’t look down on me for becoming a farmer. It was meant to be.

Huang Tzu-hui
Nurse
It seemed like he became a farmer just because he wanted to be one. I thought he was so cool. Who would want this job? Especially when he has such an advanced degree. Then eventually, as we got to know each other, I wanted to support him in doing what he loves.

Huang was moved by Chang’s determination, but fearing they might struggle financially, she decided to keep her job as a nurse while also supporting her husband’s dream.

Huang Tzu-hui
Nurse
I believe that people shine when they’re committed to something. By staying the course, he’s carved his own path in life. He’s also overcome many setbacks. The natural disasters we’ve experienced were pretty terrifying. But I thought, that’s OK. He can keep doing this, and I’ll keep nursing. At least I’ll have a steady monthly salary.

Working hand-in-hand, this couple is building more than a cantaloupe brand. They remain standing tall through rain or shine, supporting each other in enjoying the fruits of their labors.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#farmers #youngfarmer #cantaloupe #Tainan #couplegoals #engineer #nurse #careerchange

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Worshippers at Gongtian Temple are cheering as the Censer Master Mazu and the Baishatun Mazu are successfully taken into the palanquin.

They’re joined by the Houlong Shanbian Mazu in a palanquin conjoining ceremony. Then, the trio sets off together, for the first time in history.

The pilgrimage officially kicked off on midnight Monday. Worshippers all tried to get as close as possible as they sent off the holy trinity. Tongxiao Township was restless that night.

The pink race car charged ahead, arriving in Dajia District, Taichung in the morning. The three Mazus couldn’t wait to meet with a fourth, their Jenn Lann Temple counterpart.

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Throughout the Baishatun Mazu Pilgrimage, worshippers stood ready with offerings of refreshments for pilgrims. The woman offering sticky rice had come all the way to Taichung from Taoyuan.

Worshipper
Offered sticky rice
We come every year. There’s only 144kg. We didn’t prepare a lot this year.

Worshippers are always readily welcoming the Baishatun Mazu and her friends wherever she goes. Among those waiting, some are returnees to say thanks after their wishes came true. Many more are seeking blessings from her.

Worshipper
Moved by procession
I’m so moved. I hope Mazu can bless me and help me get better. I’ve had three unsuccessful surgeries in a row. I hope Mazu can offer me the way and point me to a good doctor, and get me back on my feet.

This rice cake shop in Qingshui District has a snack corner ready for Mazu and her pilgrims every year. The owner says that Mazu always returns, year after year.

Owner
Rice cake shop
We seek advice from Mazu for all matters, big and small. She always points us in the right direction. The holy mother really takes great care of us, so we’re always at the ready for her.

Tens of thousands of worshippers kept on charging ahead with the pink race car. Our team was also lucky to get a spot among a crowd waiting for the palanquin to pass over and receive blessings.

Ariel Wang
FTV anchor
We’ve kept up with the pink race car and we’ll continue to charge ahead. We’ve sprinted ahead in her footsteps. I even failed to hold back tears twice. I’m not exaggerating. It’s really so moving.

Together with her videographer, the FTV reporter had kept up with the Baishatun Mazu on foot for almost 14 hours. The two will follow her all the way southward, to her destination.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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Liu Yu-chi
Central Weather Administration
Once, when a typhoon came, I could hear extremely strong wind outside. At first, I felt that the sound was so powerful that I could feel the force of nature. So I was very curious about these situations. When I was a child, I would watch the weather anchors broadcasting, and sometimes I would deliberately try to imitate their tones and voices.

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Liu Yu-chi
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When forecasters first start out, they usually begin by drawing weather maps. Once we’ve confirmed their ability to analyze current conditions, we then have them prepare weather forecasts for the coming week. Only after they are competent in monitoring and forecasting do we train them to gradually present and explain their work to the public

During his 12 years at the administration, he often felt a strong sense of being needed — and the phone never stopped ringing.

Liu Yu-chi
Central Weather Administration
I remember receiving a call from a member of the public. The person on the other end said they knew the forecasters were very busy but their home really was without power and the internet, so they were relying on the phone for information. They said hearing my response made them feel more at ease. The call made us realize that they had very urgent and concrete needs.

Liu Yu-chi also reveals that every accurate prediction he makes comes with complex emotions.

Liu Yu-chi
Central Weather Administration
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Liu Yu-chi
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The introduction of AI technology of course can make computer simulations more accurate, increase forecasters’ efficiency, and allow them to make forecasts more accurate in a shorter time.

As the Chinese saying goes, one minute on stage takes ten years of practice offstage. Before every storm, there are people quietly watching over the weather, like Liu, unseen by the public.

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We suspect that the car driver, Mr. Hung did not follow the traffic signals. We’re still investigating the responsibility of the incident, which will be determined by the traffic division.

By the time paramedics took over, the rider had regained consciousness and was able to speak. He is currently receiving treatment in the hospital.

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Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

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