HTC Lays Off 1,500 Workers in Taiwan|宏達電擬裁員1500人 預計九月執行完畢

Mobile phone manufacturer HTC has announced another large-scale round of layoffs. This round affects 1,500 workers at its Taiwan manufacturing division without any prior signs. Taoyuan City's Department of Labor has already sent personnel to the facility to learn more and to offer aid to the laid off employees.


Labor groups hold signs and chant slogans outside mobile phone manufacturer HTC's Taoyuan factory on July 3. In August 2015, the company laid off 15 percent of its workforce, or 2,250 employees. On July 2, it informed Taoyuan City's Department of Labor that it intends to implement another round of layoffs, this time affecting 1,500 employees at its Taoyuan factory. This number is equal to one-third of the workforce of the factory, and the layoffs will be completed in September.

Workers only found out after it was reported by the media, and they informed us. They feel nervous and don't know what to do now. They are afraid they won't have jobs anymore and their rights and benefits will be damaged. They are all feeling anxious and don't know what to do.

Employees went to work as usual on July 3. Some privately said they had been surprised by the news, while others said rumors had been floating around for some time and they had already mentally prepared themselves. No one was willing to speak to the media about this issue. The Taoyuan City Electronics Industry Union hopes there can be some negotiations to ensure the rights and benefits of workers.

(Are you afraid of being laid off?) We'll see what happens.

The Office of Employment Services will go over there today and speak with the company. We hope to offer assistance on severance pay to the laid off workers. We will also organize some special recruiting activities to help these employees find new jobs.

The Department of Labor sent personnel to the factory to learn more about the situation once it was notified about the layoffs. It will organize an information meeting on severance pay, and help foreign workers whose contracts are terminated prematurely to transfer to new jobs or return home.