Based on the conference presentations
by Lai Hsiang-Lin
Information Center for Labour Education -
Solidarity Front of Women Workers
TAIWAN'S first EPZ (Kaoshung) was established in 1966. Tai Zhong and Nan Zi EPZs were
established in 1969.
Regardless of whether it's in the EPZs oroutside, Taiwanese women workers' conditions are always worse than men's. In the zones, women receive only two-thirds of the average wage for men. Most are employed in piece-rate work, which is especially low paying.
Severe sexual harassment is very common, especially for single, young women workers. Many 19 year old women prefer instead to work in karaoke bars where they suffer sexual harassment but at least the pay, NT $30,000 (US$1,170 per month at a rate of NT25.924/US$1) is higher than in the factories.
In the past, Japanese companies operating in the EPZs pressured women workers to remain single and childless so as to avoid childcare costs and to maximise productivity.
The zones, and the unions that operate in the zones, are government controlled. It is very difficult for the country's EPZ workers to initiate labour activities on issues that do not clearly fall into the category of unfair labour practices.
Before going on strike, workers are legally obliged to participate in a lengthy process that includes mandatory conciliation, a general union meeting, and a final vote before striking. Workers in industrial plants that employ less than fifty workers are not permitted to strike.
Though planned workers' actions are extremely restricted, there have been a number of spontaneous and short-lived labour actions in the past two years. Workers' major demands have typically been focused on better wages and working conditions.
EPZs have contributed to Taiwan's "economic miracle." But since the 1980s, with rising labour costs and land prices, Taiwan's competitiveness has declined.
Since 1984, many factories in the EPZs have relocated to other countries. More than 30,000 EPZ workers lost their jobs between 1987 and 1992. Sit down strikes, in which workers demand compensation to which they are entitled, are common after closures.
Companies that continue to operate in the EPZs use a variety of tactics to overcome rising labour costs.
Many companies import foreign workers. Approximately 2,000 foreign migrant workers, mostly from the Philippines and Thailand, are employed in the zones. Some Japanese companies close down on their 24th year of operation to avoid paying retirement benefits, which are legally required on the 25th year.
To compete with other Asian NICs, Taiwan is striving to become a "transit, trading, and financial centre" for the Asia-Pacific region. The companies in Taiwan's EPZs are shifting from manufacturing activities to trading, storage, warehousing, and distribution. Women zone workers are stuck with dismal prospects in the EPZs and few job opportunities outside the EPZs.
EXPORT PROCESSING ZONES
Kaoshung
Tai Zhong
Nan Zi
Growth Areas: Southern China Growth Triangle
WAGES
The average wage of Taiwanese womn workers in 65% of that for men.
(Source: Asian Women Workers Newsletter, vol.13, NO 2, April 1994, p.3.)
UNEMPLOYMENT RATE
1,4%
POPULATION
21,1 million
LABOUR FORCE
8.8 million (42,5% of population) (1993)
EPZ WORKERS
77% of Taiwan's EPZ workers are women.
ECONOMIC GROWTH
6.4% (1994); 6,5% (1995)
PER CAPITA GDP (PPP)
US$ 12,315
INFLATION RATE (CPI)
4,7%
Wong Mei Yueh works for a Japanese electronics company as a general staff member. The company has been operating for 14 year in the EPZ. She is 32 years old, is married, and has two sons. AS our workload increases, our pay shrinks. Our company doesn't react well when we ask for a salary increase~ They always threaten us by saying, "Don't complain or else we'll move the factory to Malaysia."
Two years ago, a new d rector came to our factory. He always brings a camera with him when he is checking up on the workers. If anyone slacks off, he will take a photo and then force the worker to pay a fine. He also shows the photo to the other workers to embarass her.
I know that in most people's view, the EPZ workers are very cheap. Nowadays, no one wants to work in the zone. Ten years ago, workers had to be 16-25 year old and unmarried. But now th workers can be up to 36 years old and married.
Companies employ migrant workers becaus ethey can't attract enough young, women workers. About one-third of the workers in my company are migrant workers. We often say to one another, "If Taiwan uses more migrant workers, one day we'll have to go to another country to find work."
My main problem is that I do not have my own house. If the owner of our apartment comes back, we'll have to move. If we could get a workers' housing loan or public housing it would be better. Otherwise, we'll just move into a municipal housing office until they give us an apartment!
In my opinion, women face so many inequities. My mother in-law helps me look after my children when I go to work. But she always bears a grudge. She doesn 't recognise that I go to work because I want to help my family. My husband's salary is not enough for us to live on.
During the day I (have to) work and when I get home I take care of my children. Why can men just go to work without having to take care of the children?
Unless my husband all of a sudden is able to earn a lot more money l'm going to have to continue to work here. But I'm afraid that the company might move away and I won't get my sever ance pay. If one day I leave the company, I will be a nanny so that I'11 be able to take care of my children at the same time.
(Source: Interview written up by Wang Fang-Ping, Informat’on Centre for Labour Education - Solidar’ty Front of Women Workers. Translated by Vivien Liu. )