China Steel Express Corporation (CSEC) ceased providing labor and health insurance for Taiwanese seafarers in July this year, a move criticized as an indirect attempt to force retirements and strip workers of their rights. This action left over 300 seafarer families in economic hardship. In response, the CSEC labor union launched several protests and legally obtained the right to strike. This afternoon, Minister of Labor Shih-Han Hung personally convened both labor and management representatives from CSEC to negotiate issues such as prioritizing employment opportunities for Taiwanese seafarers. The parties ultimately reached a consensus and signed an agreement.
CSEC agreed to reinstate labor and health insurance for its seafarers and will not pursue further appeals in the related insurance reinstatement lawsuits. Additionally, the company pledged to prioritize the hiring of Taiwanese seafarers and to gradually reduce the number of Chinese seafarers until their employment reaches zero. In return, the labor union agreed to cancel planned strikes and year-end protests.
The Ministry of Labor explained that the CSEC labor union held a strike vote from August 16 to August 30 in accordance with the Labor Dispute Act, legally securing the right to strike. During this period, the union staged multiple protests, drawing widespread public attention. Since taking office, Minister Hung has placed great emphasis on addressing union demands and the labor rights of seafarers. To facilitate resolution through rational dialogue, the Ministry previously invited representatives from the Ministry of Economic Affairs, China Steel Corporation (CSC), CSEC, and the union to clarify their respective positions, concerns, and discuss feasible solutions.
This afternoon, the Ministry of Labor once again convened representatives from the Ministry of Economic Affairs, CSC, and both labor and management parties at CSEC to finalize the agreement. According to the agreement, CSEC will prioritize hiring Taiwanese seafarers for any future job vacancies, allowing the union to provide personnel recommendations. The company also agreed to reinstate labor insurance policies as they were before July 2, 2024, and to cease pursuing appeals in related lawsuits. Starting January 1, 2025, CSC will organize regular communication meetings between CSEC and the union.
Moreover, CSEC committed to gradually reducing and ultimately halting the employment of Chinese seafarers to uphold the principle of prioritizing job opportunities for Taiwanese nationals. The Ministry of Labor emphasized that the resolution of this labor dispute was made possible not only through the goodwill and cooperation of both parties but also with substantial support from the Ministry of Economic Affairs and CSEC’s parent company, China Steel Corporation.
[UDN／Reporter Ye Guanyu／Taipei Real Time Report ] 2024-12-17 19:55
[Photo by the Ministry of Labor]