TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's main defense contractor, Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation (AIDC, 漢翔), stated on Thursday (Oct. 24) that plans to introduce foreign workers remain in the planning stages, and vowed that they will not have access to defense secrets.
Concerns about potential national security risks have circulated after reports suggested that AIDC intends to hire foreign workers. In response, the company aimed to address a shortage of grassroots labor without compromising national security.
According to the United Daily News (聯合報), the company stressed that the evaluation process is still ongoing and no final decision has been made. The AIDC emphasized that if they proceed with hiring foreign workers, they will first attempt to recruit domestically before applying to the Ministry of Labor (MOL, 勞動部) for additional help.
The MOL responded to these developments, as reported by the Liberty Times (自由時報), by stating that AIDC, classified under the manufacturing sector, can apply to introduce foreign labor as long as it involves manual work. However, the ministry remains unaware of its specific plans and will review applications based on the type of work foreign workers will perform.
AIDC currently operates in three main areas: defense, civil aviation, and industrial technology services. Its defense operations include manufacturing, maintenance, performance enhancement, fleet management, and military engine services for domestic military aircraft.