Taipei: The union at TaiDoc Technology Corp. has announced a strike campaign to pressure the medical device manufacturer into meeting its demands, including the reinstatement of dismissed union officials. This move follows a protest held outside the Ministry of Labor (MOL) in Taipei, marking the union's fourth demonstration against the company's management practices.
According to Focus Taiwan, union members and labor groups gathered to chant slogans, highlighting grievances over what they described as overly strict management rules and alleged union-busting actions. The protest was hosted by labor rights advocate Fang Chang, who noted that the company had dismissed all union officials following their third protest last week.
Chang revealed that TaiDoc Chairman Chen Chao-wang had proposed reinstating the six dismissed officials if they agreed to leave the union, an offer that was promptly rejected. Consequently, the officials were evicted from their dormitories.
Union chair Elizabeth Basas emphasized the union's resolve, declaring the strike campaign on Lunar New Year's Eve as a symbol of their commitment to resolve the dispute. She asserted that the struggle was not just about financial concerns but also about defending dignity, rights, and freedom. Basas and the dismissed officials are currently residing in a shelter run by the labor rights NGO Serve the People Association.
Lennon Wang, the group's director of migrant worker policy and the union's secretary-general, stated that the union, composed of almost 30 Filipino members, insists on the reinstatement of the dismissed officials as a condition for negotiations. He expressed concern that the company would likely terminate any employee participating in a strike, and as such, the timing of the walkout remains undecided.
In response to the situation, the MOL reminded that under the Labor Union Act, both local and migrant workers have the right to organize. They warned TaiDoc of potential fines reaching NT$500,000 (US$15,943) if found guilty of malicious union-busting activities.
Despite the protests and legal warnings, TaiDoc informed CNA that it would not address the union's protest or its demands.