The second Taiwan-EU Labor Consultation meeting was held May 8 in Taipei City, underscoring the commitment of both sides to strengthening cooperation in areas spanning employment rights and talent cultivation.
Jointly staged by the Ministry of Labor and European Commission’s Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion (DG EMPL), the one-day event focused on such issues as job market development, vocational training systems and labor adjustment assistance to address the impacts of globalization.
Taiwan’s delegation to the meeting included MOL Minister Hsu Ming-chun and Deputy Foreign Minister Kelly Wu-chiao Hsieh, while the five-member EU group was led by DG EMPL Deputy Director-General Andriana Sukova.
Speaking at the opening of the event, Hsu said that Taiwan and the EU enjoy close and friendly relations based on their shared commitment to the universal values of freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law. Robust ties are highlighted by expansive business and investment links, with Taiwan the EU’s sixth largest trading partner in Asia and the EU Taiwan’s fifth largest export market globally.
Ensuring a strong labor rights environment is a major priority for the government, Hsu said. EU policies in areas like social partnerships serve as an important reference in this regard, and Taiwan welcomes the opportunity to expand cooperation and exchanges in this area, she added.
According to Hsieh, Taiwan and the EU face similar challenges resulting from advances in artificial intelligence, globalization and smart automation. Sharing ideas and best practices can play an important role in promoting inclusive and dignified labor environments and developing responsive social welfare systems, he said.
Expressing gratitude to Taiwan for hosting the event, Sukova also pointed to shared labor concerns owing to such factors as AI and aging societies. The EU looks forward to robust exchanges on these topics and to continuing the discussions at the third annual labor consultation meeting in Brussels next year, she added. (HC-E)
Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw