China Steel Express Corporation (CSEC), a subsidiary of China Steel Corporation, has been accused of reducing the employment of Taiwanese seafarers in recent years. In July, the company abruptly suspended labor and health insurance coverage for regular Taiwanese crew members, affecting the rights of over 100 seafarers. This afternoon, the CSEC Labor Union organized a protest, with more than 200 seafarers and their families riding motorcycles and cars to encircle the China Steel Building in Kaohsiung. The police issued two warnings for illegal assembly. The union vowed to protest at the Presidential Office on New Year’s Day, declaring, “Let President Lai hear our demands.”
CSEC's Response
Meng Ching-chun, Associate General Manager of CSEC’s Administration Division, stated that since its establishment, CSEC has followed the industry practice of employing seafarers under fixed-term contracts. Negotiations between the company and the labor union are ongoing. CSEC has pledged to maintain the highest employment ratio of Taiwanese seafarers among similarly sized domestic shipping companies and to gradually reduce the number of Chinese seafarers hired. Meng urged the union to adhere to principles of rationality, integrity, and respect for the negotiation process to ensure the sustainability of the maritime industry.
Labor Rights Violations
The union accused CSEC of suspending labor and health insurance for over 100 Taiwanese seafarers who were off duty and awaiting their next assignments—marking the first time in 28 years this had occurred. Additionally, the union claimed that CSEC delayed reassigning Taiwanese crew members, instead prioritizing Chinese seafarers to pressure Taiwanese workers into resigning. This alleged tactic has severely impacted the employment rights of Taiwanese seafarers, pushing their families into financial hardship.
The union emphasized that it has obtained Taiwan’s first legal right to strike in the maritime sector through a strike ballot. Last month, they mobilized hundreds of seafarers and family members to protest at the Ministry of Labor, urging then-Minister Ho Pei-shan to address what they described as a national enterprise suppressing Taiwanese seafarers’ labor rights.
Despite a labor-management negotiation last week, which involved representatives from the Ministry of Labor, Ministry of Economic Affairs, and the Kaohsiung City Labor Bureau, key issues such as “job security” and the “restoration of labor and health insurance” remain unresolved.
Protest at China Steel Building
This afternoon, more than 200 seafarers and family members participated in the protest, using 50 motorcycles and over 20 cars to encircle the China Steel Building. Protesters honked horns and chanted slogans like “Our employer is China Steel,” “Restore labor insurance,” and “Protect our jobs.” Former legislator Lai Hsiang-ling joined the rally to show her support.
The union attempted to deliver a petition to senior management at China Steel. Huang Fu-chang, Director of the Business Development Division, received the petition, but union chairperson Wang Ching-hung threw it on the ground in anger. Union researcher Chen Po-chien questioned Huang, asking, “Can you restore the seafarers’ jobs and reinstate their labor and health insurance immediately?” Huang responded that all actions would comply with the law.
Police Response
The police stated that while the union had applied for a protest march, the assembly had not been approved. The Qianzhen Police Precinct issued two warnings to the protesters gathered in front of the China Steel Building. The crowd of more than 200 people dispersed at 3:48 PM, chanting, “See you at the Presidential Office on New Year’s Day!”
[UDN / Reporter Wang Yong-chao] 2024/11/27 19:17:09
[photo by Reporter Wang Yong-chao]