The weather has taken a dramatic change in Hsinchu from the last 6 weeks. Gone are the gray clouds and rain. Today it was 33 and sunny with blue skies. Not Eastern Canada blue but a welcome relief. With the humidity and the sun it's pretty easy to become beat from the heat, something I realized today after my usual Sunday walk about in the downtown area of Hsinchu where this photo was taken. Coming home having a shower and an unhealthy dose of air conditioning was a welcome relief.
Sunday's are the time when Hsinchu's relatively monoculture changes to reflect it's true cultural make-up. Thousands of foreign workers, most from the Philippines are given their one day off to attend church and well, relax. Taiwan doesn't have the best reputation with foreign labourers which is evidenced by this weeks news of Thai. workers rioting in Kaoshiung. Whenever there is trouble (especially political) the Taiwanese executives always flee the country. There is a tendency to either bribe your way out of a problem or run.
"A riot by 1,700 mostly Thai workers to protest their poor working conditions has revealed graft and labor abuse in Taiwan as authorities probe the high-profile incident.
The riot last week embarrassed the administration of President Chen Shui-bian, whose Democratic Progressive Party has run on a platform of human rights and clean government.
The riot broke out Aug. 21 when several of the Thais returned to their dormitory after a day off, and were barred from bringing in alcohol and cigarettes. The workers burned cars and battled police with stones and slings.
The workers, who'd been packed into bunk beds in a crowded dormitory, complained about inadequate food and frequent fines for violating stringent rules set by a company that manages them.
Bringing in foreign laborers is lucrative. Each is charged up to 140,000 New Taiwan dollars (US$4,400; 3,500) in brokerage fees _ the equivalent of nearly eight months' salary. The fees are split between Taiwanese and foreign brokers." (Chinapost)
Comments
Post a comment