economic shifts 結果共6筆

Taiwan’s investment in China has reached its lowest point in a decade, making up just over 10% of the island’s total overseas direct investment, according to a report by Nikkei Asia. Recent official data from Taiwan reveals that foreign direct investments surged by 87% to reach $257 billion through November this year. However, investments in China plummeted by 34% to only $29 billion, representing a mere 12% of the total. Since 2010, Taiwanese investments in China have been steadily declining and are projected to drop below the lowest point recorded since 1999. In contrast, investments in the United States have increased ninefold to $96 billion, accounting for around 37% of the total outbound direct investment. Additionally, Taiwan’s direct investment in Germany has soared 25-fold to $39 billion, largely driven by the operations of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company. Sun Ming-te, Director of the Business Development and Research Center at the Taiwan Institute of Economic Research (TIER), predicts that if tensions between the United States and China persist, Taiwan’s investment in China will continue to decline.

In this story, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) presidential nominee Lai Ching-te criticizes the outdated policy views of Kuomintang’s (KMT) presidential candidate, Hou Yu-ih, during a presidential debate. Lai emphasizes the need for abandoning outdated policies and upgrading past efforts to comprehend and master the rapidly changing world. He outlines his policy principles, including boosting national projects, enhancing defense, economic and democratic ties, and maintaining dignified, equal cooperation with China. Lai believes that the 2024 presidential election will determine whether Taiwan aligns with democracies or authoritarian entities, and he highlights that voting for him and his running mate Hsiao Bi-khim is the only option to continue collaborating with democratic allies.

Taiwan’s selection of ＂Que＂ (缺), reflecting shortages and challenges in 2023, sets a pivotal backdrop for the upcoming General Elections. Key events like diplomatic shifts, the #MeToo movement, defense upgrades, TSMC’s global expansion, and political alliances define Taiwan’s future.

The Ministry of Labor in Taiwan has reported an increase of 359 employees on unpaid leave since December 18, bringing the total to 9,935. The rise is primarily attributed to the manufacturing sector, which has been affected by a decline in orders. Notably, a sports equipment manufacturing company saw a significant increase of around 170 unpaid leave cases, while the Hsinchu Science Park, known for its semiconductor component manufacturers, reported about 50 workers on unpaid leave. A total of 382 businesses have reduced working hours, impacting 9,935 workers. In the Hsinchu Science Park alone, a semiconductor component manufacturer with a staff of over 600 has implemented reduced shifts for 50 workers. Other industries, such as support services, wholesale, and retail, have experienced relatively minor changes during this period.

The Ministry of Labor in Taiwan has announced that 364 companies have implemented reduced work shifts, affecting a total of 9,809 employees. Among these companies, four manufacturing firms have halted or prematurely ended these initiatives due to urgent orders. The manufacturing industry has been the most impacted, with 203 businesses and 8,791 individuals affected by reduced work hours. The Department of Labor Standards and Equal Employment Director Huang Wei-chen noted that large-scale businesses are typically the first to cease these initiatives when economic conditions improve. Huang also predicted that the number of companies implementing unpaid leave may decrease by the end of the year or early next year. This situation highlights the delicate balance between ensuring employee welfare and meeting business requirements, especially in the face of current economic uncertainties. The Ministry of Labor continues to oversee work policies to protect workers while promoting strong industrial performance.

Amid economic challenges, Taiwan’s manufacturing sector grapples with reduced work shifts due to declining foreign orders. Labor violations surge in New Taipei, with the sector eyeing revival as export orders show promise.