Taidoc Technology Labor Union (TTLU) members again went to the Ministry of Labor on February 16 to condemn the company Taidoc’s persistent efforts to sabotage the union. They called on the agency to side with the workers. This was the union’s fourth protest at the ministry. Joining the action were the National Autonomous Labor Alliance, Migrante-Taiwan, NTU Labor Society, Serve the People Association, and groups of student youth.

The union then announced its plan to launch a strike to press their demands, including reinstating union officers whom the company dismissed. The union did not set a date in order to prevent the company from firing workers who will join the strike.

Taidoc held a press conference on February 9 after the union’s protest action. The company accused TTLU of being manipulated by other groups and claimed that workers’ actions could become an issue of “national security.” The company also called a meeting and announced that the union already had a new set of officers. This did not go through any legal process nor recognized by TTLU. The company even tried to force the union to hand over its official seal.

The company’s relentless union busting attempts forced Taiwan’s labor minister to issue a statement on February 11 warning the company “not to challenge the ministry’s decision to protect workers’ rights.” The company was also barred from dismissing workers or hiring additional migrant workers while the union’s complaint against it is being heard.

The company’s vicious schemes continue in defiance of the warning. The company forced workers to form a separate group that presents itself as the company’s official union. It also created a fake Facebook page using the union’s name to deceive the public. On this page, the company released a video where workers supposedly say they are happy at work and denounce the “interference of other groups.” The company is also fomenting intrigue to divide local and migrant workers. At the end of January, the company circulated an internal memo blaming the union’s protests for the reduction of workers’ bonuses.

“They tried to infiltrate the union with pro-company members to undermine our demands and control the union from within,” TTLU director Joanna Rose De Los Santos explained.

“Allowing Taidoc to trample on the union’s autonomy and ignore the agency’s sanctions with impunity will be a precedent for other abusive companies to follow,” the union said.

The union reiterated its call on the people of Taiwan to support their protest at the New Taipei City Government gate on February 23.