Taipei: The Control Yuan, Taiwan's top government watchdog, has launched a probe into possible acts of forced labor involving migrant workers in the country's textile industry, outlined in a report published in February by United States-based NGO Transparentem. Control Yuan members Chi Hui-jung and Wang Yu-ling initiated an investigation into potential encroachments on migrant workers' rights highlighted in the report.

According to Focus Taiwan, the report, titled "Following the Thread: Labor Abuses in Taiwan's Textile Industry," is a years-long investigation into nine Taiwanese textile companies that manufacture for well-known fashion brands such as Adidas, Puma, Nike, H and M, and Patagonia. It highlighted that the collection of "recruitment fees" from migrant workers, outlawed in Taiwan, was taking place at all nine manufacturers, with fees reaching as high as US$6,000 per person in some cases.

The report also documented arbitrary wage deductions, intimidation and threats, as well as issues with pay and the retention of identity documents. All of these actions constitute forced labor according to the International Labour Organization's Indicators of Forced Labor.

Chi and Wang will work to determine whether Taiwan's competent authorities have acted to address the root cause of the alleged offenses and enforced the provisions of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. Taiwan adopted this as domestic law in 2009, ensuring that migrant workers' rights are protected and that they work under fair conditions.

Labor Minister Hung Sun-han told CNA in April that the Labor Ministry will "carefully investigate" incidents highlighted by Transparentem and "crack down" if violations involving forced labor and human trafficking come to light.