Taiwan remained at Tier 1 for the 15th consecutive year in the U.S. Department of State’s 2024 Trafficking in Persons Report, reflecting global recognition of the government’s efforts to protect human rights, according to the Ministry of the Interior June 25.
Among the 188 countries and territories assessed in the report, Taiwan is one of five countries in the Asia-Pacific listed as Tier 1, along with Australia, Singapore, South Korea and the Philippines, the MOI said. Regional neighbors Japan and Hong Kong are in Tier 2 and Tier 2 Watch List, respectively, while China is in Tier 3.
According to the report released June 24, Taiwan authorities continued to demonstrate serious and sustained efforts to fight exploitation during the reporting period. Examples include amending the Human Trafficking Prevention and Control Act, hiring 60 new Fisheries Agency labor inspectors and prosecuting more offenders.
The report also listed 11 recommendations for Taiwan spanning labor law reforms to allow migrant workers to change jobs mid-contract without employer approval, a Direct Hiring Service Center expansion and legislation to better protect the rights of caregivers and domestic workers.
In response, the MOI said that all matters of concern have been addressed in the 2023-2024 Anti-Exploitation Action Plan launched in April of last year, adding that implementation results are continuously monitored.
The government will continue to integrate public and private sector resources and work with partners at home and abroad to combat human trafficking and safeguard human rights, the ministry added. (SFC-E)
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from Taiwan Today – Top News