Aug 6, 2025

Home, Migrant Workers, and Decent Work in Supply Chains

A Discussion with Bonny Ling

Bonny Ling

Hosted by Taiwan on Air

Summary

This episode’s host, Adina Zemanek, invited Dr. Bonny Ling, executive director of Work Better Innovations, to talk about Taiwan as a home for migrant workers, and decent work in supply chains. After a brief overview of key risks in this area, we touched upon Taiwan’s major legislation to date in a global context, and addressed the importance of economic diplomacy for Taiwan – being seen as a responsible global actor in business and human rights. Drawing on our guest’s experience as a practitioner, we then explored how Taiwanese suppliers see their role as leaders in improving labour standards. Countering stereotypical associations between businesses and human rights abuses, we investigated the possibilities, limitations and responsibilities that firms perceive for themselves in transitioning to a fairer model of labour recruitment and protection, as well as the role of the 2020 National Action Plan in setting this transition in motion. Finally, we used a regional (Asian) framework of reference to discuss the need for Taiwan’s government to provide clear guidelines that could help Taiwanese companies bridge the knowledge gap between existing local legal frameworks and international human rights standards.

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Taiwan on Air

What is Taiwan for the world and the world for Taiwan? In this podcast series, a group of Taiwan specialists based at the University of Central Lancashire, chat with book writers, artists, directors, professionals from, or with, an interest in Taiwan and explore how the ‘little’ island of Taiwan can be a starting point to (re)think the way we look at the world. Whether you already know Taiwan, you want to know more about it, or you just want to be inspired by it, this is the podcast for you!

This podcast series is hosted by Dr Ti-han Chang, Dr Lara Momesso and Dr Adina Zemanek.

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