NEW DELHI (Diya TV) — Taiwan has condemned racist and discriminatory remarks aimed at Indian migrant workers as debate grows over a labor agreement between India and Taiwan. The statement came after a local political campaign in Taiwan sparked criticism from Indian communities and rights advocates.
The controversy centers on comments and campaign material linked to a candidate in Taiwan’s Kaohsiung City Council election. The incident has renewed attention on Taiwan’s plan to recruit Indian workers to address labor shortages caused by an aging population and declining birth rates.
The Taiwan Economic and Cultural Center, or TECC, in India said discriminatory comments made by certain individuals do not reflect Taiwan’s official position.
“Taiwan has long been committed to planning the introduction of Indian migrant workers,” the TECC said in a statement on Wednesday.
The office added that Taiwan values democracy, diversity, and inclusivity. It also said the country strongly condemns racism, prejudice, and discrimination in all forms. The statement followed public criticism over a billboard displayed in Kaohsiung’s Siaogang district. The billboard featured a man wearing a turban and an inverted Indian flag. It also carried a promise to block Indian immigration into Taiwan.
Several residents of Indian origin called the billboard offensive. They said it reinforced harmful stereotypes about Indian migrant workers. The campaign material quickly drew backlash on social media. Critics accused the candidate of fueling fear and misinformation about foreign workers.
Taiwan has been trying to expand its foreign labor force as industries struggle to fill jobs. The island already employs nearly 700,000 migrant workers, most of whom come from Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand. However, Taiwan has recently looked beyond Southeast Asia to meet growing labor demands.
In February 2024, India and Taiwan signed a migration and mobility agreement. The deal allows the recruitment of Indian workers in sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture, and construction. Officials designed the agreement as a pilot program. Taiwan initially planned to recruit around 1,000 Indian workers under the first phase.
Despite the limited scale, the proposal triggered concern among some groups in Taiwan. More than 40,000 people signed an online petition urging the government to stop the plan. Supporters of the agreement say Taiwan needs more workers to support its economy. Industries across the island have reported labor shortages for years, especially in factories and construction projects.
The labor agreement reflects growing economic and cultural ties between India and Taiwan. Trade and business cooperation between the two sides has steadily increased in recent years.
Taiwanese officials have also discussed ways to help Indian workers adapt to local communities. Reports said Taiwan showed interest in recruiting workers from India’s northeastern states, including Assam, Mizoram, and Nagaland. Officials believe workers from these regions may adapt more easily because of cultural similarities and English-language skills.
At present, only about 3,500 to 4,000 Indians work in Taiwan. Experts say that number could grow if the pilot program succeeds. Many analysts view the agreement as part of Taiwan’s broader strategy to diversify its labor force and strengthen relations with India.
India does not maintain formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan because it follows the One-China policy. However, both sides have steadily expanded economic, educational, and cultural exchanges over the past three decades.
In 1995, India established the India Taipei Association in Taipei to support trade, tourism, and consular services. Taiwan also opened the Taiwan Economic and Cultural Center in New Delhi the same year. Since then, cooperation between India and Taiwan has grown in technology, education, and investment. The latest labor agreement marks another step in closer engagement between the two sides.
