Condemnation ensues as a Taiwanese minister makes racially insensitive remarks about Indian nationals, escalating into a full-blown controversy. Labor Minister Hsu Ming-chun has been compelled to apologize after commenting on the skin color and dietary habits of Indian migrant workers.
In an interview, the Taiwanese Minister said, 'Taiwan will prioritize hiring workers from Northeast India as their skin color and dietary habits resemble ours.'
According to Taiwan's Central News Agency, the minister also stated, 'Based on the foreign ministry's assessment, people from this region, who are mostly Christians, are skilled in manufacturing, construction, and agriculture.'
The snippet of the Taiwanese Labor Minister's interview has gone viral, attracting significant criticism. Legislator Chen Kuan-ting of the Democratic Progressive Party has strongly condemned the video posted on social media site X. He argued that skin color and ethnicity should not be criteria for the recruitment of migrant workers.
Minister Hsu Ming-chun Expresses Regret over Remarks
Facing mounting controversy, Minister Hsu Ming-chun has expressed remorse over his 'inappropriate' comments, stating Taiwan's labor policies aim for non-discriminatory equality. He stressed that Taiwanese labor policies are equitable for both Indian and foreign workers.
As per the Central News Agency, the minister distanced himself from any discriminatory intent and emphasized his commitment to highlighting the abilities and performance of Indian workers.
He apologized for the choice of words used in his comments on Indian workers and insisted that the intent was not to discriminate.
Response from Taiwan's Foreign Ministry
Taiwan's Foreign Ministry has also issued an apology, stating that the minister's comments were 'entirely inappropriate.' The ministry claims Taiwan champions a civic society that embraces diverse opinions and listens to all people.
The statement emphasized, 'Taiwan also fully respects the diverse and rich culture of India and wishes to preserve the friendship between the people of Taiwan and India. We will spare no effort to enhance cooperation and partnership between Taiwan and India, and to promote cultural exchanges and mutual understanding.'
