Strange things afoot at Taiwan Foundation for Democracy

Groups protest on Ketagalan Blvd ahead of Labor Day

Amid a legal case that risks damaging the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy’s image, new regulations also point to increased monitoring of employees 

The Taiwan Foundation for Democracy (TFD) is facing criticism amid allegations of discrimination against a foreign employee and the implementation of internal security rules that allow monitoring of employees’ movement and Internet activity.

Bo Tedards

At the heart of the criticism is the case of Bo Tedards, who was removed from his duties as director of the foundation’s International Cooperation Department and reassigned as a researcher after returning from eight months of parental leave in January last year.

TFD director Huang Teh-fu (黃德福), who had informed Tedards of his demotion — which came with a NT$10,000 reduction in salary — denied the reassignment had anything to do with Tedards’ parental leave and launched an administrative appeal with the Council of Labor Affairs. After the council turned down the appeal on Jan. 20, Huang initiated legal action at the Taipei District Court against the city government. Since early last year, the foundation has also implemented a series of new regulations to keep tabs on its employees. 

My article, published today in the Taipei Times, continues here.