A Study of Taiwan Trade Unions’ Policy Participation and Governance

Trade unions play vital role in government policy participation in many countries. In some advanced economies, the trade union movement even shares policy governance with the employers and government and being called as social partners. In Taiwan, the trade unions’ role in policy participation and governance has been retarded as a result of legal and political factors. Consequently trade unions’ function in the public policy participation and governance is limited. In addition, trade unions’ opportunities to participate public policy and acted as partner in policy governance is also reduced. Therefore trade unions cannot play effective role in social dialogue, not to even mention monitoring the outcome of the public policy. In Taiwan, domestic researchers have generally focused on the study of the role of trade unions in collective labor relations, trade unions’ policy participation and governance has been ignored without careful exploration. It is the purpose of this study to uncover such an issue to supplement the gap of contemporary public policy research.

This study shows that even legal and political factors have been subsequently restricted trade unions capability to participate and govern public policy in Taiwan; it is still possible for trade unions to participate and share governance in public policy. According to our theory analysis and data collected from intensive interviews, this study finds that trade unions are likely to obtain opportunities to participate and govern public policy if trade unions are able to express their collective voices. It is also suggested that trade unions are also possible to be invited as government advisors, information providers, and even as social partners with other social groups, given that appropriate channels and assistance provided by the government.