Taiwan tech sector to suffer if Pinoy labor import is frozen, warns Taiwanese official

Taiwan's tech sector may be hit hardest if Taiwan freezes the importation of Philippine labor due to a row that killed a Taiwanese fisherman last Thursday, a Taiwanese labor official admitted Sunday.

Lin San-quei, head of the Bureau of Employment and Vocational Training, said Filipino workers have a good command of English and skills for operating machinery, Taiwan's Central News Agency reported.

The labor bureau estimates there are 87,000 Filipino laborers in Taiwan, most of whom work in the manufacturing sector. The others are mainly domestic caretakers, the CNA report said.

A Taiwanese fisherman, Hung Shih-cheng, 65, was shot dead in an encounter with Philippine authorities in disputed waters last May 9.

Philippine Coast Guard officials said the Taiwanese boat may have tried to ram their vessel.

Taiwan threatened to suspend the importation of Philippine labor if the Philippines does not respond to its demand for an apology and investigation in 72 hours.

Meanwhile, the CNA report said some Philippine workers in Taiwan voiced sympathy for Hung's family, with some in favor of an apology by the Philippines. — BM, GMA News