Taiwan minister apologizes for controversial remarks on Indian workers

Hsu Ming-chun clarifies statements perceived as “racist” in planned recruitment comments.

In a recent turn of events, Taiwan’s Labor Minister, Hsu Ming-chun, has issued a public apology following criticism over remarks deemed as “racist” in relation to the recruitment of Indian migrant workers. The controversy arose when Hsu suggested that the ministry would initially prioritize hiring workers from northeastern India due to similarities in “skin color and dietary habits.”

During an interview, Minister Hsu elaborated on the decision, noting that individuals from this region, primarily Christians, were deemed proficient in manufacturing, construction, and farming, according to assessments by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA).

Facing backlash and accusations of discrimination, Hsu expressed regret and clarified her stance during a legislative hearing on Tuesday morning. She emphasized Taiwan’s commitment to labor policies based on equality, applicable to both local and foreign workers. Hsu stressed that her intention was to highlight the skills and performance of Indian workers, dissociating from any discriminatory motives.

Legislator Chen Kuan-ting of the Democratic Progressive Party strongly condemned Hsu’s remarks in a video, asserting that criteria for recruiting migrant workers should not include considerations of skin color and race.

In response to the controversy, the Labor Ministry issued a statement on Monday night, apologizing for Hsu’s “inaccurate” choice of words and underscoring that the comments were not intended to discriminate.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also joined in the apology on Tuesday, acknowledging the “not entirely appropriate” nature of the narratives surrounding the planned recruitment of Indian workers. The statement highlighted Taiwan’s respect for India’s diverse culture and expressed a commitment to fostering cultural exchanges and mutual understanding between the two nations.

Additionally, the ministry expressed hope for continued support from the people of Taiwan in engaging with the world and advancing substantive interactions with partners in the Indo-Pacific region. The Taiwanese government aims to strengthen reciprocal and mutually beneficial exchanges with a focus on bolstering cooperation and partnership between Taiwan and India.