New Books in Chinese Studies Professional Chat: Home, Migrant Workers, and Decent Work in Supply Chains, with Bonny Ling
Aug 6, 2025
Bonny Ling, Executive Director of Work Better Innovations, brings her expertise in human rights and migrant worker legislation to the discussion. She shares insights on the complex realities of migrant workers in Taiwan's supply chains, highlighting their significant roles beyond low-wage labor, particularly in critical sectors. The conversation addresses Taiwan's legislative frameworks and the ethical responsibilities of businesses to improve labor standards, while calling for clear guidelines from the government to align local practices with international human rights norms.
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Recruitment Fees Drive Debt Bondage
- Taiwan's biggest supply-chain risk is recruitment fees and related costs that push migrant workers into debt bondage.
- Visa-tied employment and lack of job mobility deter workers from reporting abuses, worsening exploitation.
Publish The Updated National Action Plan Now
- Publish and update a clear National Action Plan to anchor business expectations and diplomatic credibility.
- Treat the 2024 update as urgent rather than optional to reduce legal and reputational uncertainty.
Legal Compliance Can Still Be Unjust
- Many Taiwanese firms follow local law but lack awareness that practices can be legal yet inconsistent with international standards.
- This knowledge gap causes defensive reactions when buyers demand higher human-rights expectations.