00:00Abusive living and working conditions. Withholding of wages. Excessive overtime. Abuse of vulnerability
00:08and debt bondage. These are the indicators of forced labor the U.S. found in its investigation
00:13of Giant, the world's largest bicycle manufacturer, and its Taiwan factories. U.S. Customs and Border
00:19Protection issued an order detaining Giant's Taiwan-made bicycles, parts, and accessories
00:25entering U.S. ports. At issue here seems to be the conditions for migrant workers employed at Giant's
00:31Taiwan factories who come mostly from Southeast Asia. And in particular, this issue of what's
00:35called debt bondage, where workers pay thousands of U.S. dollars in upfront fees to get these jobs,
00:41which can take years to pay back. And between the debt and the fact that it's nearly impossible for
00:47them to change jobs, many of them are essentially bound to their employers until the debt is paid.
00:52In response to the order, Giant said it's committed to upholding human rights and labor
00:56protections. They also said they have started implementing a zero recruitment fee policy.
01:01Under this policy, all recruitment agency and government related fees for newly hired migrant
01:07workers will be paid by the company. Taiwan's economy ministry also responded to the news,
01:11saying they intended to help the company restore its reputation and resolve the alleged forced labor
01:17issues. But the case could reignite debates about trade and the migrant worker system in Taiwan.
Comments