By KHT Staff. Image via Facebook fan page 孟買春秋.
KAOHSIUNG — A Kaohsiung ward chief running for city council has drawn criticism after putting up a campaign billboard opposing Indian migrant workers that critics said used discriminatory imagery.
The billboard, posted by Gangming Ward (港明里) Chief Lee Hung-yi (李紘毅) in Siaogang District (小港區), shows red “no” symbols over the Indian flag and an image of a turbaned man. Lee Lee, a Taiwan People’s Party member, is running as an independent in November’s election.
The image circulated on social media this week after a Threads user who described themselves as an Indian resident who has lived in Taiwan for years called the campaign material “blatant and direct racial discrimination.” The post said it was legitimate to debate migrant worker policy, but argued that using cultural and ethnic imagery to oppose a specific group crossed a line.
Lee told CNA on Wednesday that he was not opposed to migrant workers as a whole, but opposed Taiwan’s plan to admit migrant workers from India. He said the policy lacked sufficient supporting measures and management rules, but did not give further details.
Labor Minister Hung Sun-han (洪申翰) told lawmakers last month that Taiwan could initially bring in 1,000 Indian workers as early as this year for jobs in manufacturing, agriculture, and caregiving. Hung said Taiwan and India were still discussing administrative procedures, document checks, and health examinations.
Source: CNA.
