TThe Trade and Labor Committee Meeting under the Agreement between New Zealand and the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen, and Matsu on Economic Cooperation (ANZTEC) was staged Nov. 26 via videoconference from Taipei City and Wellington, the Ministry of Labor said.
According to the MOL, the event was attended by Hsieh Ching-yun, director of the planning division under MOL’s Workforce Development Agency; Song Ming-haur, director of Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New Zealand’s Economic Division; Anna Clark, general manager of the workplace relations and safety policy under New Zealand’s Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment; and Mark Pearson, director of the New Zealand Commerce and Industry Office, among others.
During the event, each side shared its respective labor developments, with participants from Taiwan discussing updated work hour regulations and childcare flexibility measures and those from New Zealand detailing the status of amendments to its Holidays Act 2003, the MOL said. They also exchanged experience on vocational health and safety issues, including Taiwan’s initiative to reduce falls in the construction industry and New Zealand’s amendment to its Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, the ministry added.
Additionally, attendees continued discussions on the green economy initiated in the 10th meeting, sharing research results on transitioning to net-zero emissions and relevant talent cultivation measures, the MOL said, adding that they decided to hold the 12th edition in Taipei next year.
During her opening remarks, Clark took the opportunity to express her hope that Taiwan and New Zealand will continue partnership via the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, while Pearson said the meeting is expected to help protect workers’ rights amid the implementation of zero tariffs next year under the ANZTEC framework, the MOL said.
Song suggested that Taiwan and New Zealand pay close attention to the impact of artificial intelligence on labor conditions, the workplace environment and the cross-border flow of personnel. Hsieh concluded by hoping the two sides will continue to deepen exchanges and cooperation via ANZTEC and APEC. (YCH-E)
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