Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (TSMC) Urges its Supply Chain Partners to Protect Rights of Migrant Workers under the Pandemic
The Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (TSMC), one of the largest semiconductor firms worldwide, has announced the statement “Supply Chains Partners Should Ensure the Human Rights Protection During the Pandemic” on 26th July, which particularly centred on the rights of migrant workers being employed by its subsidiaries and partner firms.
The management guidance on migrant workers presented in the statement includes four main areas: personal freedom, pandemic prevention, accidents and casualties, and dormitory management. According to the statement, it is impermissible for companies to deduct their workers’ salary as a punishment towards the violation of any kind of Covid-19 infection prevention recommendations or guidance, and to restrict the workers’ freedom or any lawful activities outside of work. In addition, clean and comfortable accommodation facilities should be provided to the migrant workers, and the room size should meet the minimum legal standard.
TSMC further emphasised its commitment to labour rights protection, driving supply chain improvement, and creating a sustainable development model. Whether the pandemic is in place, TSMC’s partners in its supply chain must comply with the “United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights”, “TSMC’s Supplier Code of Conduct”, “TSMC’s Human Rights Policy”, and the “Responsible Business Alliance (RBA) Code of Conduct”.
TSMC promises to conduct labour working and living conditions inspections of its supply chain partners in Taiwan before the end of 2021, and those who have not met the minimum requirements of this statement must make improvements within a limited period of time. Being one of the leading multinational firms in Taiwan with more than 1000 partners worldwide, TSMC’s approach to improving the human rights condition of migrant workers among its subsidiaries and local suppliers is expected to encourage more companies in the country to take action to protect their workers from workplace hazards.
HRC welcomes companies taking responsibility in labour rights protection, particularly among vulnerable communities, such as migrant workers. TSMC plans to translate this statement into the mother tongues of the migrant workers hired by TSMC and its partners, and for more information about TSMC’s efforts in managing its suppliers’ sustainability.