Wu Xuming, a veteran porter who specialized in carrying heavy gear for hikers, tragically fell to his death last year after being overloaded with equipment. Yesterday, Jim Duff, founder of the International Porter Protection Group, personally appealed to Legislative Yuan President Wang Jin-pyng in Taiwan, calling on the Taiwanese authorities to immediately
Wu Xuming, who has scaled numerous peaks, turned professional as a porter out of his passion for mountaineering. Last November, while assisting hikers in the remote mountains of Hualien, he accidentally fell off a cliff while carrying 60 kilograms of gear—equivalent in weight to about 600 bottles of water. The incident brought the working conditions of porters in Taiwan into the spotlight. Yesterday, Du Fu, accompanied by Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Tien Chiu-chin, advocated for the rights of porters.
Working Conditions: Only Verbal Agreements
In a letter to Legislative Yuan President Wang Jin-pyng, Du Fu stated that Taiwan has the highest mountain density in the world, making mountaineering education extremely important. Valuing the professional skills and fair treatment of porters can effectively
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Huang Xiaoling, secretary-general of the Work Injury Victims Association, also said that assistance should be provided to help migrant laborers form labor unions, as they are most aware of their own job risks and legislative needs.
Sun Youlian, Secretary-General of the Taiwan Labor Front, said that self-employed laborers who take on jobs independently have no social insurance coverage in case of accidents. He supports amending the law to include such workers under the social safety net.