「尊嚴勞動」（Decent Work）的概念由國際勞工組織（ILO）於1999年提出，透過促進勞動權益、增加就業機會、加強社會安全保障及推動社會對話四大策略性目標，來實現對勞動者權益的尊重與保障社會安全。2008年，全球最大的跨國工會組織，國際工會聯合會（ITUC）訂定每年10月7日為「世界尊嚴勞動日」，並發起全球行動，推動尊嚴勞動。今年，ITUC以「勞工應得和平與民主」（Workers Deserve Peace and Democracy）為主題，回應當前全球武裝衝突、經濟不平等、氣候變遷及數位化對勞工的深遠影響，強調工會應挺身捍衛勞工權益，並支持永續生計的關鍵要素——和平與民主。因此，台灣勞工陣線、立法委員范雲辦公室與台灣跨國企業監察（TTNC Watch）召開記者會，響應這一國際行動，不僅聲援國際工會，亦正視台灣尊嚴勞動所面臨的挑戰。
ITUC指出，尊嚴勞動與和平、民主息息相關。沒有和平，勞工將失去穩定和安全的工作環境，都直接影響他們的生活品質，並使他們更容易遭受剝削、面臨不安全的工作條件和減少社會保障的威脅。在許多工作場所和地區，民主的缺失進一步惡化了這一狀況，勞工被剝奪了參與決策的權利，而這些決策更是直接影響他們生活和工作條件的重要事項。因此，ITUC強調，民主不僅限於政治代表權，還應包括工作場所的民主，賦予勞工組織工會、集體談判及參與制定勞動條件政策的權利，皆是實現尊嚴勞動的關鍵。
ITUC每年發布的全球權利指數，對各國遵守集體勞工權利的情況進行評級，並記錄政府和雇主侵犯國際公認權利的行為。2024年，亞太地區因為持續發生系統性侵害勞工組織工會及罷工基本權利的事件，平均得分為4.13，成為全球勞動處境第二差的地區，僅次於中東與北非地區（MENA）平均得分的4.74。
● 阿富汗和緬甸的評等為5+，代表著由於法治的崩潰，權利得不到保障。
● 孟加拉、菲律賓和韓國都有工會成員被殺。
● 柬埔寨、伊朗和緬甸的工會幹部，遭虛假指控被捕並被判重刑。
● 孟加拉是全球勞動生活條件最差的國家之一，國家以暴力鎮壓罷工。
● 韓國政府持續透過司法濫權，將工會活動定調為犯罪行為。
● 印尼政府透過《創造就業法》，取消了幾乎所有勞工的最低工資保護和集體談判權。
台灣在這份報告中雖然取得評比為2，顯示勞工集體權利較不被侵犯。但殷鑑不遠的是台灣在1987年才解除戒嚴令，即使解嚴後，在資本家的強烈集體抗議與要求下，國家仍長期以「工運流氓」系統性地的整肅與清算勞工運動。而為了迅速排除雇主不當打壓工會集體行為，一直到2011年5月1日修正施行勞動三法（工會法、團體協約法及勞資爭議處理法），建立不當勞動行為裁決機制才初步有相關保障，然而裁決機制在上路超過十年後，工會組織率並無大幅攀升，仍突顯組織工會的障礙猶存，而團體協約亦仍未能發展成為工會透過集體談判提升勞動條件的重要模式，且近年來包括複數工會及工會多元化發展衍生代表性爭議，勢必將再次重新檢討。此外迄今仍有部分勞工不得進行罷工行為，甚至遭限制籌組工會，都已違反相關勞動人權公約。
立委范雲表示，這是與勞工陣線共同召開尊嚴勞動日記者會的第四年，過去也曾對外送員薪資演算法不透明的問題一起倡議，以及共同呼籲勞動部訂定《最低工資法》。此次尊嚴勞動日的主題是強迫勞動，范雲委員表示，過去曾協助過烏干達籍血汗學工案，她認為外籍移工在臺灣的處境仍屬危殆，當時也對教育部進行檢討，包括召開公聽會等，希望可以更進一步解決外籍學工的強迫勞動問題。另外，立委范雲並提及，運動員的勞權以及工會權也應納入考量；經過預算案以及多次質詢，體育署上個月承諾，會輔導企業聯賽運動項目組成工會。立委范雲表示，最低工資法立法與最低工資連九漲應是尊嚴勞動的開端，各行各業的勞工們能有尊嚴的工作，是國家應有的作為。
台灣勞工陣線副秘書長楊書瑋表示，台灣勞工陣線成立於1984年，即以「政治民主、社會民主、經濟民主」作為組織核心理念，民主不只是政治價值，更應走入經濟生產的領域，因此從1990年開始，就倡議產業民主制度，並提出「國公營事業產業民主條例」。然而台灣低迷的工會組織率，使得台灣集體勞動關係嚴重失衡，民主的概念無法深入經濟場域。雖然2011年啟動了新勞動三法時代，但台灣工會數量並沒有顯著成長，截至目前為止2024年企業工會為953家（較去年同期增加11家）、產業工會則為264家（較去年同期增加6家），更遑論團體協約覆蓋率極低，顯示出台灣在推動集體勞動權益方面，仍有長路要走。
在國內，台灣面對勞動力不足的挑戰，產業界依然採用壓低勞動條件的舊模式，對政府施壓以擴大引進移工，這不僅阻礙了產業升級，也加劇了低薪問題。台灣在國際間就因強迫勞動問題屢屢遭到關注，進而損害了台灣的國際形象，然而國內各項勞動法規對於強迫勞動的規範，卻是散落於《勞動基準法》、《就業服務法》及《人口販運防治法》之中，無法有效產生預防效益，以致過去便因移工、漁工重大強迫事件屢屢遭到美國及歐盟的警告，甚至遭列名美國「童工及強迫勞動製品清單」。此外層出不窮的外籍學生頻頻遭受不法剝削的「學工事件」，都再再顯示現代奴隸的狀況仍存在於台灣，因此政府應強化國內終止強迫勞動的法制，預防及消弭國內發生強迫勞動案件。
強化集體勞資關係與工會力量是實現尊嚴勞動的重要基礎，工會不僅為勞工提供了集體協商的力量，也成為個別維護自身權益的重要保障。集體勞資關係的強化能有效促進企業和勞工之間的溝通與協商，確保工作條件的改善。台灣長期推動ESG概念，金管會進一步規定自2025年起，全體上市公司均應編製永續報告書，主要目的為公開企業在環境、社會及治理相關的資訊。台灣目前上市（櫃）公司共有1,843家，但是其中有成立企業工會不到200家，僅有10%、而簽訂團體協約者更僅有約50家，締約率不到3%。工會成立的目的為與公司協商，推動優於法令的勞動條件，因此除應鼓勵員工籌組自主工會之外，永續報告書中也應揭露企業與工會間關係，包括未簽訂團體協約之原因。 強化工會力量、推動集體協商，也是台灣未來推動企業永續發展的關鍵一環。
在國際方面，台商企業早已在全球生產鏈中扮演著舉足輕重的角色，台灣企業一旦在海外發生侵犯勞工權益的事件，國際社會將對台灣進行譴責，進一步影響台灣的國際地位和聲譽。2023年共七個人權、勞工及環保組織成立了「台灣跨國企業監察（TTNC Watch）」，共同確保台灣跨國企業在海外及其供應鏈中尊重人權與環境，也將接受台灣跨國企業在海外侵害或侵犯權利者的投訴，並致力於協助其尋求救濟，呼籲台灣應加快制定《供應鏈企業責任法》，確保台資企業在全球供應鏈中遵守人權規範，特別是針對那些位處勞動權益侵害嚴重國家的企業。只有這樣，台灣才能與國際接軌，並在全球人權和民主價值的推動中，扮演更積極的角色。
台灣於2020年首次發布「企業與人權國家行動計畫」，雖然此舉標誌著朝永續發展與企業責任的重要一步，但仍未有效落實聯合國《工商企業與人權指導原則》（UNGPs）所強調的「國家保護義務」、「企業尊重人權」及「提供有效救濟制度」。隨著2024年底第二版計畫的即將推出，我們強烈呼籲，應在新版計畫中納入具體措施，保障工會參與決策的權利，促進工作場所的民主，並設立有效的救濟機制，確保企業尊重勞動人權。在全球呼籲尊嚴勞動、和平與民主的背景下，我們應與國際接軌，立即啟動三方對話，共同推動制度改革，替勞工創造安全、有尊嚴的工作環境，進一步鞏固台灣在國際間的人權和民主形象。
立法委員范雲國會辦公室、台灣勞工陣線協會、TTNC Watch 聯合新聞稿
「World Day for Decent Work: Workers Deserve Peace and Democracy」Press Conference
Protect Decent Work, Strengthen Union Power
October 7, 2024 Press Release
The concept of "Decent Work" was proposed by the International Labor Organization (ILO) in 1999 to respect the rights of workers and protect social security through four strategic objectives: advancing labor rights, increasing employment opportunities, strengthening social security and promoting social dialogue. In 2008, the world's largest multinational trade union organization, the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), designated October 7th as "World Day for Decent Work" and launched a global campaign to promote decent work. This year, the ITUC adopted the theme of "Workers Deserve Peace and Democracy" to respond to the profound and widespread impact of global armed conflict, economic inequality, climate change and digitalization on workers, emphasizing that trade unions should stand up for workers' rights and thereby support the key elements of sustainable living — peace and democracy. In response to this international call to action, Taiwan Labor Front (TLF) held a press conference with Legislator Fan Yun's office, not only to show solidarity with international labor unions, but also to address the challenges facing Taiwan's fight for decent work.
As the ITUC points out, decent work is closely linked with peace and democracy. Without peace, workers would lose a stable and a safe working environment, directly impacting their quality of life and making them more vulnerable to exploitation, unsafe working conditions and reduced social security. In many workplaces and regions, this situation is further exacerbated by the absence of democracy, where workers are deprived of the right to participate in decision-making on important issues that directly affect their lives and working conditions. The ITUC therefore emphasizes that democracy is not limited to political representation, but also includes workplace democracy, and that giving workers the right to form unions, bargain collectively, and participate in the formation of policies on labor conditions is key to achieving the standards of decent work.
The ITUC releases the Global Rights Index every year, rating countries on their compliance with collective labor rights and documenting violations of internationally recognized rights by governments and employers. In 2024, the Asia-Pacific region scored an average of 4.13, making it the second-worst region globally for labor conditions, only behind the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, which had an average score of 4.74.
• Afghanistan and Myanmar received a rating of 5+, indicating that rights are not protected due to the collapse of the rule of law.
• In Bangladesh, the Philippines, and South Korea, union members have been murdered.
• Union leaders in Cambodia, Iran, and Myanmar have been arrested and sentenced to heavy prison terms based on false charges.
• Bangladesh is one of the countries with the worst labor living conditions globally, with violent state-suppression of strikes.
• The South Korean government continues criminalize trade union activities through abuse of its judicial power.
• The Indonesian government, through the Job Creation Law (also known as the Omnibus Law), has eliminated nearly all minimum wage protections and collective bargaining rights for workers.
Although Taiwan received a 2024 Global Rights Index rating of 2, indicating that collective labor rights are less frequently violated, it is important to note that martial law was only lifted in Taiwan in 1987. Even after the lifting of martial law, the state systematically suppressed and targeted labor movements under the pretext of controlling "labor movement thugs" due to strong collective protests and demands from capitalists. It wasn't until May 1, 2011, that Taiwan’s "Three Labor Laws"— the Labor Union Act, the Collective Agreement Act, and the Act for Settlement of Labor-Management Disputes— were amended and implemented to eliminate employers' improper suppression of collective union activities, establishing a mechanism for addressing unfair labor practices. Although an initial step towards strengthening labor protections, the unionization rate still has not significantly increased over a decade after this mechanism was introduced, indicating that barriers to union organizing continue to persist. Furthermore, collective agreements have not yet developed into an important model for unions to enhance labor conditions through collective bargaining. In recent years, issues such as disputes over the collective agreement representation of plural labor unions are likely to necessitate a reevaluation of the Three Labor Laws. Additionally, some workers are still prohibited from striking or face restrictions on forming unions, which violates relevant international labor rights conventions.
Legislator Fan Yun stated that this marks the fourth year of holding a press conference for World Day for Decent Work in collaboration with Taiwan Labor Front. In the past, they have advocated together for issues such as the lack of transparency in pay algorithms for delivery workers, and have jointly called on the Ministry of Labor to establish a Minimum Wage Act. As this year's theme for World Day for Decent Work is forced labor, Legislator Fan mentioned her previous assistance with a forced labor case involving Ugandan international students, where she conducted reviews with the Ministry of Education, including holding public hearings, hoping to further address the issue of forced labor among foreign students. She believes that the situation for international migrant workers in Taiwan remains precarious. Additionally, Legislator Fan pointed out that the labor rights of athletes and their right to unionize should also be considered; after budget discussions and multiple inquiries, the Sports Administration committed last month to support the formation of unions for enterprises involved in league sports. Fan emphasized that the Minimum Wage Act and the continuous increase in minimum wage for nine consecutive times should be seen as the beginning of decent work, as it is the government's responsibility to ensure that workers in all industries can have dignified jobs.
Yang Shu-wei, Deputy Secretary-General of Taiwan Labor Front, stated that TLF was established in 1984 with "political, social, and economic democracy" as its core organizational principles, emphasizing that democracy is not only a political value, but should also extend into the realm of economic production. Therefore, since 1990, the organization has advocated for an industrial democracy system and proposed the "The Privatization of Government-Owned Enterprises Act." However, the low unionization rate in Taiwan has led to a severe imbalance in collective labor relations, preventing democracy from taking root in the economic sphere. Although the new era of the Three Labor Laws commenced in 2011, the number of unions in Taiwan has not seen significant growth. As of 2024, there are 953 enterprise unions (an increase of 11 compared to the same time last year) and 264 industrial unions (an increase of 6). Furthermore, the coverage rate of collective agreements remains extremely low, indicating that Taiwan still has a long way to go in promoting collective labor rights.
In Taiwan, the challenge of labor shortages persists as industries continue to adopt an outdated model of suppressing labor conditions, pressuring the government to expand the recruitment of migrant workers, which not only hinders industrial upgrading but also exacerbates the issue of low wages. Taiwan has frequently drawn international attention due to problems related to forced labor, which has harmed its global image. Taiwan’s regulations addressing forced labor are scattered across the Labor Standards Act, the Employment Service Act, and the Human Trafficking Prevention Act, failing to effectively provide preventive benefits. As a result, Taiwan has faced repeated warnings from the United States and the European Union due to significant incidents of forced labor involving migrant and fishing workers, and has even been included on the U.S. "List of Goods Produced by Child Labor or Forced Labor." Moreover, ongoing incidents of illegal exploitation of foreign students further illustrate that modern slavery still exists in Taiwan. Therefore, the government should strengthen domestic legislation to prevent and eliminate cases of forced labor within the country.
Strengthening collective labor relations and union power is a crucial foundation for decent work, as unions not only provide workers with the strength for collective bargaining but also serve as an important safeguard for protecting individual rights. Enhancing collective labor relations can effectively promote communication and negotiation between enterprises and workers, ensuring improvements in working conditions. Taiwan has long advocated for the concept of ESG in sustainable development (Environmental, Social, and Governance); the Financial Supervisory Commission has further mandated that all publicly listed companies must prepare sustainability reports starting in 2025, primarily aimed at disclosing ESG-related information. Currently, there are 1,843 listed companies in Taiwan, yet fewer than 200 have established enterprise unions, representing only 10%, and only about 50 have signed collective agreements, resulting in a contract rate of less than 3%. The purpose of forming unions is to negotiate with companies to promote labor conditions that exceed legal requirements. Therefore, in addition to encouraging employees to organize independent unions, sustainability reports should also disclose the relationship between enterprises and unions, including the reasons for not signing collective agreements. Strengthening union power and promoting collective bargaining are key components for Taiwan’s future efforts in advancing sustainable corporate development.
On the international front, Taiwanese businesses are already playing a significant role in the global production chain. Therefore, global condemnation of Taiwanese companies engaging in overseas violations of labor rights will further impacting Taiwan’s international standing and reputation. In 2023, seven human rights, labor, and environmental organizations established "TTNC Watch" (Taiwan Transnational Corporation Watch) to collectively ensure that Taiwanese multinational corporations respect human rights and environmental standards in their overseas operations and supply chains. This initiative will also accept complaints regarding violations or infringements of rights by Taiwanese multinational corporations abroad and is committed to assisting victims in seeking redress. Moreover, it calls for Taiwan to accelerate the development of a "Supply Chain Law" to ensure that Taiwanese enterprises adhere to human rights standards within the global supply chain, especially concerning those operating in countries with severe labor rights violations. Only by doing so can Taiwan align itself with international norms and play a more proactive role in promoting global human rights and democratic values.
In 2020, Taiwan issued its first "National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights." Although an important step toward sustainable development and corporate responsibility, it has not resulted in an effective implementation of the principles of "State Duty to Protect," "Corporate Responsibility to Respect Human Rights," and "Access to Effective Remedy" emphasized in the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs). With the second version of the plan set to be released by the end of 2024, we strongly urge the inclusion of specific measures to guarantee the rights of unions to participate in decision-making, promote workplace democracy, and establish effective remedy mechanisms to ensure that businesses respect labor rights.
Against the backdrop of a global call for decent work, peace, and democracy, we should align ourselves with international standards, initiate tripartite social dialogue, and work together to promote institutional reforms that create a safe and dignified working environment for workers, further strengthening Taiwan's image of human rights and democracy in the international arena.
The Office of Legislator Fan Yun, Taiwan Labor Front, TTNC Watch