Taiwanese Company Closure Leaves Migrant Worker in the Lurch, Wins Unfair Dismissal Claim

A Vietnamese Migrant Worker Secures Compensation After Abrupt Job Loss Due to Company's Sudden Shutdown

In a recent case highlighting the vulnerability of migrant workers in Taiwan, a Vietnamese worker, referred to as Ms. Wu, has successfully won a legal battle against her former employer following the abrupt closure of the company she worked for. The incident sheds light on potential labor rights violations and the importance of adhering to established legal protocols.

Ms. Wu, who had been employed for over three years at a food industrial company owned by Yang, found herself without a job on April 22, 2024. She received the news via her employment agency, who simply informed her "not to come to work tomorrow" following the company's unexpected shutdown. Ms. Wu contested the dismissal, arguing it was illegal and in violation of the Labor Standards Act.

She filed a claim against Yang, the company owner, seeking compensation, including severance pay, totaling over NT$80,000. The court proceedings unfolded with Yang failing to appear or present any defense. Consequently, the court ruled in favor of Ms. Wu, ordering Yang to pay the requested compensation. The case is subject to appeal.

According to court documents, Ms. Wu had been working as an operator at the company since January 14, 2021, handling seafood processing. The company's poor financial performance led to the unannounced closure, leaving Ms. Wu without prior notice or proper procedures as mandated by Taiwanese labor laws. This case underscores the critical need for employers to comply with labor regulations, especially during company closures, to protect the rights of their employees, particularly migrant workers.