The Cijin ferry accident in Kaohsiung in 1973 claimed the lives of 25 female workers who were commuting to work in an export processing zone. This incident stands as the deadliest occupational accident involving a single gender in Taiwan. It also served as a significant impetus for the government to enact legislation to protect labor rights. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the "25 Ladies Incident". A documentary titled "Their Stories" has been digitally remastered to commemorate the event. The Ministry of Labor organized a nationwide tour to screen the documentary across 5 locations in the country, starting on October 18. In addition to honoring the dedication of these female workers who devoted their youth to Taiwan, the screenings also serve as a declaration of the government’s unwavering commitment to protecting labor rights and equality.

During the 1960s and 1970s, the "Processing and Export Zones" were instrumental in Taiwan's economic boom, with hardworking and resilient "female workers" serving as the cornerstone of such development. According to statistics, 70-80% of the labor force in the processing zones at the time was comprised of female workers. Without overtime pay, weekends off, typhoon leaves, or the protection of labor movements, the "female workers" demonstrated remarkable resilience and perseverance, contributing to Taiwan’s economic miracle.

Remastering of “Their Stories” - In memory of the unsung heroes behind the economic miracle

vHowever, on the morning of September 3, 1973, 7 years after Qianzhen Processing Zone in Kaohsiung was founded, 25 female workers rushed to work, fearing deduction of their full attendance bonus for being late. They boarded an overloaded ferry to Cijin, which tragically capsized and sank. The shocking incident revealed the glaring inadequacy of labor protection mechanisms at the time and sparked legislative discussions. After the “25 Ladies Incident”, the government took over management of the Cijin ferry, and the “Labor Safety and Health Act”, the precursor to the “Occupational Safety and Health Act”, was promulgated the following year.

Director Ke Wan-Ching spent nearly 4 years filming "Their Stories" by drawing inspiration from the "25 Ladies Incident". Based on oral history interviews, she interviewed over 40 female workers in the electronics and textile production lines, completing the documentary for its premiere in 2008. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the "25 Ladies Incident". A documentary titled "Their Stories" has been digitally remastered to commemorate the event. In addition to honoring the dedication of these unsung heroes behind Taiwan’s economy, the film also reviews the government’s endeavors to improve labor rights and equality.

50th anniversary of the “25 Ladies Incident” - The government plays a more proactive role in labor rights protection

Even though the economic mode of the “Export Processing Zone” has changed, the government’s efforts to protect labor rights remain uninterrupted. In 2021, the "Labor Occupational Accident Insurance and Protection Act" was passed in the third reading. By establishing a specialized law, occupational accident insurance was separated from the "Labor Insurance Act" and integrated with the "Act for Protecting Worker of Occupational Accidents" to create a sound protection system encompassing occupational accident prevention, compensation, and rehabilitation. Besides expanding insurance coverage, insurance for all workers employed by registered enterprises is now mandatory. The act also enhances benefit entitlements and significantly increases insurance payouts.
 

The law also established the "COAPRE" through stable financial support to carry out comprehensive services in "prevention", "protection", and "rehabilitation". The center's responsibilities include "on-site occupational health services", "one-stop case management services for occupational accident workers", and "professional return to work services", aiming to minimize occupational accidents effectively.
 

It is impossible to reverse time, but we can all learn from history. Five screenings of "Their Stories" will be hosted from October 18 to December 1, hoping that the documentary will let people reflect and reconsider the importance of women's labor rights and the protection of occupational accident workers, thereby ensuring that such tragedies do not happen again. The 5 screenings are scheduled as follows: October 18 in Taipei, New Taipei City, Keelung, and Yilan, November 3 in Taoyuan, Hsinchu, Miaoli as well as Yunlin, Chiayi, and Tainan, November 10 in Taichung, Changhua, and Nantou, and December 1 in Kaohsiung, and Pingtung. Everyone is welcome to participate. For inquiries, please contact Manager Chiu at the center at (02) 8522-9366 ext. 861.