Introduction of Indian Migrant Workers Sparks Social Debate; DPP Hopes for Rational Discussion
The Minister of Labor's announcement that the first batch of Indian migrant workers could be introduced this year has sparked public concern over issues such as public safety. In response, the DPP caucus is calling for rational discussion, emphasizing that the move is intended to solve the industry's labor shortage and promising to demand that the Ministry of Labor implement proper controls, stating that anxiety should not turn into discrimination.
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- 📰 Published: April 13, 2026 at 13:08
- 🔍 Collected: April 13, 2026 at 13:31 (23 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 13, 2026 at 15:13 (1h 41m after Collected)
Central News Agency, Taipei, April 13 (Reporter Wang Yang-yu) - Minister of Labor Hung Shen-han's statement that the first batch of Indian migrant workers could be introduced as early as this year has sparked social discussion and questioning from the opposition camp. DPP Legislative Yuan caucus whip Chuang Jui-hsiung said in an interview today that the government has heard the voices from all sectors and hopes that both the ruling and opposition parties will properly scrutinize the issue and engage in rational discussion. He added that mutual criticism is unnecessary.
Hung Shen-han stated in the Legislative Yuan on the 9th that the first batch of Indian migrant workers might be introduced as early as this year, raising concerns among some members of the public about the potential impact on public safety. The Ministry of Labor pointed out that it will conduct a full assessment and implement safeguards, and will not act rashly, asking the public not to worry. The KMT Legislative Yuan caucus held a press conference today titled "Indian Laborers Coming to Taiwan? The Public is Kept in the Dark!" to provide their explanation.
DPP Legislative Yuan caucus whip Chuang Jui-hsiung and others held a press conference today to respond to public opinion. Regarding the above issue, Chuang Jui-hsiung explained that the initial motivation of all parties, both ruling and opposition, was to solve Taiwan's industrial labor shortage problem. Now that the issue of public safety has emerged, he believes all parties should jointly call on society to discuss it rationally. He said it is not appropriate to distinguish between high-skilled and low-skilled labor and then question whether low-skilled labor might impact social stability.
Chuang Jui-hsiung pointed out that the government has heard the voices from all sectors. What all parties should do is to properly scrutinize the matter. Mutual criticism is quite unnecessary, he said, because the minutes of the parliamentary proceedings make the statements of all parties clear.
The convener of the Health and Environment Committee of the Legislative Yuan, DPP Legislator Lin Yueh-chin, who attended the press conference, stated that the policy background of this case is to respond to Taiwan's aging population, low birth rate, and the over-concentration of migrant workers from certain countries. Therefore, it is necessary to re-evaluate cautiously whether to increase the source countries of migrant workers.
Lin Yueh-chin mentioned that if someone had previously advocated for speeding up the process and supplementing the supporting measures, but now treats this matter as a monstrous threat, it is tantamount to manipulating a political issue into an emotional one. It is also not right to say yesterday that the labor shortage is severe and action should be taken quickly, and then pretend today that one has never agreed to it.
Lin Yueh-chin emphasized that regarding the discussion of Indian migrant workers, she feels that society can certainly scrutinize the government, and the government should more actively respond to the public's concerns. However, anxiety cannot be used as an excuse for discrimination. The DPP caucus will continue to demand that the Ministry of Labor, in accordance with the government's position, conduct a full assessment and implement safeguards based on Taiwan's industrial manpower needs, public concerns, and more complete supporting measures. She hopes for a rational discussion. (Editor: Chang Jo-yao) 1150413
Hung Shen-han stated in the Legislative Yuan on the 9th that the first batch of Indian migrant workers might be introduced as early as this year, raising concerns among some members of the public about the potential impact on public safety. The Ministry of Labor pointed out that it will conduct a full assessment and implement safeguards, and will not act rashly, asking the public not to worry. The KMT Legislative Yuan caucus held a press conference today titled "Indian Laborers Coming to Taiwan? The Public is Kept in the Dark!" to provide their explanation.
DPP Legislative Yuan caucus whip Chuang Jui-hsiung and others held a press conference today to respond to public opinion. Regarding the above issue, Chuang Jui-hsiung explained that the initial motivation of all parties, both ruling and opposition, was to solve Taiwan's industrial labor shortage problem. Now that the issue of public safety has emerged, he believes all parties should jointly call on society to discuss it rationally. He said it is not appropriate to distinguish between high-skilled and low-skilled labor and then question whether low-skilled labor might impact social stability.
Chuang Jui-hsiung pointed out that the government has heard the voices from all sectors. What all parties should do is to properly scrutinize the matter. Mutual criticism is quite unnecessary, he said, because the minutes of the parliamentary proceedings make the statements of all parties clear.
The convener of the Health and Environment Committee of the Legislative Yuan, DPP Legislator Lin Yueh-chin, who attended the press conference, stated that the policy background of this case is to respond to Taiwan's aging population, low birth rate, and the over-concentration of migrant workers from certain countries. Therefore, it is necessary to re-evaluate cautiously whether to increase the source countries of migrant workers.
Lin Yueh-chin mentioned that if someone had previously advocated for speeding up the process and supplementing the supporting measures, but now treats this matter as a monstrous threat, it is tantamount to manipulating a political issue into an emotional one. It is also not right to say yesterday that the labor shortage is severe and action should be taken quickly, and then pretend today that one has never agreed to it.
Lin Yueh-chin emphasized that regarding the discussion of Indian migrant workers, she feels that society can certainly scrutinize the government, and the government should more actively respond to the public's concerns. However, anxiety cannot be used as an excuse for discrimination. The DPP caucus will continue to demand that the Ministry of Labor, in accordance with the government's position, conduct a full assessment and implement safeguards based on Taiwan's industrial manpower needs, public concerns, and more complete supporting measures. She hopes for a rational discussion. (Editor: Chang Jo-yao) 1150413