An employment dispute involving the treatment of an HIV-infected migrant worker in Taiwan has sparked controversy.
The News Lens
Date: 2016/07/15
By: Yuan-ling Liang
Liu Shuan-shuan (劉萱萱), who hired an HIV-infected migrant worker, has stirred up a
Photo Credit: RITCHIE B. TONGO / EPA / 達志影像
controversy online after she wrote a post on Facebook detailing the Taiwanese government’s handling of an employment dispute.
Liu says that after discovering that her employee was HIV-positive she and her family sought advice from the Ministry of Labor.
She posted a photo of the reply from the government, instructing her to find a new employer for the worker.
“Can you, Minister of Labor, accept migrant workers that are HIV-infected and pregnant taking care of your parents and patients at home?” Liu wrote. She also said that some shelters for migrant workers refuse to take in people with HIV.
The Ministry of Labor issued a statement on July 15 clarifying that it did not encourage the employer to find a new employer for the worker. Given that HIV transmission is clearly understood, the disease should not have an impact on employers, the ministry said. The statement added that any discrimination against HIV-infected workers was unacceptable.
At the time of writing, Liu’s post had seen thousands of reactions online. Many people, who say they also employ migrant workers, replied to the post complaining that employers face an unfair situation. Some say that migrant workers bring major social problems to Taiwan. Others go so far as to say that HIV-infected workers should be deported. [FULL STORY]