Vidushi Nautiyal, Pune
Following intense backlash, Labour Minister Hsu Ming-chun apologized on Tuesday for the comments she had made about the potential hire of Indian migrant workers, which some had criticized as “racist,” according to Central News Agency Taiwan.
Minister Hsu had said in an interview that the ministry would first concentrate on hiring workers from northeastern India as their “skin colour and dietary habits are closer to ours”. According to the Central News Agency, she also stated that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) assessments indicate that the people in the northeastern region of India, predominantly Christians, are skilled in farming, manufacturing, and construction.
Hsu apologized for her “inaccurate” remarks during a legislative session on Tuesday morning. She clarified that Taiwan’s labour laws are designed to promote equality for all workers, local and foreign, without prejudice. She made it clear that her goal was to showcase the skills of Indian workers while denying any discriminatory intentions, according to the Central News Agency.
The Labor Ministry also issued an apology in a statement released on Monday night, emphasizing that the remarks were not intended to be discriminating.
Hsu’s comments in a video released on X were “strongly condemned” by legislator Chen Kuan-ting of the Democratic Progressive Party, who stated that race and skin colour should not be considered when hiring migrant workers.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also apologized in a statement on Tuesday, admitting that the stories about the intended hiring of Indian workers were “not entirely appropriate.” According to the statement, Taiwan has a welcoming civil society that values diversity and gives room for the expression of different opinions.
Further, it stated, “Taiwan also fully respects India’s diverse and rich culture and cherishes the friendship between the peoples of Taiwan and India. It will spare no effort in advancing cultural exchanges and mutual understanding between the two countries, with the aim of further elevating cooperation and partnership between Taiwan and India”.
The ministry also conveyed the hope that Taiwan’s citizens will back the nation’s initiatives to interact with other nations and pursue meaningful partnerships with Indo-Pacific countries. “Taiwan government also hopes that the people of Taiwan will support the country’s efforts to engage with the world, further advance substantive interactions with partners in the Indo-Pacific region, and thereby bolster reciprocal and mutually beneficial exchanges,” the statement concluded.