200 Pinoy workers in Taiwan file class suit vs labor brokers

Some 200 Filipino workers have filed a class-action complaint in Taiwan, claiming exploitation by their labor brokers, Taiwan's Central News Agency (CNA) reported late Friday. Hired at the Hsinchu Science Park in northern Taiwan, the workers took the step late last year after not receiving any wages for months. Quoting a Philippine Department of Justice (DOJ) official, CNA said the Filipinos claimed their wages were allegedly withheld to pay off high-interest loans they owed their labor brokers. It also quoted the DOJ official as saying that if the allegations are proven true, this may constitute human trafficking and could affect labor exports to Taiwan. On the other hand, CNA quoted a labor broker as saying there is a long history of Filipino workers being exploited by brokers giving high-interest loans. The broker said most workers choose to endure the abuse in silence. The CNA report said a recent labor fraud case involving Taiwanese diplomat to the US Jacqueline Liu could encourage workers to fight for their rights. Liu had been arrested and deported, then suspended for allegedly mistreating her two Filipina helpers. For his part, Manila Economic and Cultural Office chairman Amadeo Perez Jr. said Filipinos turn to brokers for loans so they can get a shot at working in Taiwan. Perez said a Filipino worker wishing to work in Taiwan may spend P100,000 ($2,340). — LBG, GMA News