TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Cabinet said Friday it is confident the outcome of a US investigation into forced labor will reflect commitments made under the Taiwan-US Agreement on Reciprocal Trade.

The US on Thursday launched a Section 301 investigation into whether 60 trading partners, including Taiwan, have adequately enforced bans on the import of products made with forced labor. The agreement signed in February includes commitments by both sides to prevent forced labor and prohibit imports of related goods.

The Cabinet stressed that aligning with international labor standards has long been a government policy goal.

According to the Cabinet, Washington sent Taiwan a written notice after opening the probe and acknowledged Taipei’s commitments under the agreement to ban imports made with forced labor. The US also said Taiwan’s efforts would be taken into consideration during the investigation.

To help Taiwan’s industries reduce forced labor risks, the labor ministry issued reference guidelines for companies on Feb. 13. The ministry is also working with the economics ministry to ensure manufacturers comply with international standards in the recruitment and management of migrant workers.

On the legislative front, the labor ministry plans to amend the Employment Service Act to prohibit employers from retaining key workers’ documents, as a safeguard against forced labor. The draft amendment has been submitted to the Cabinet for review.

The ministry also plans to improve the system that enables employers to directly hire migrant workers. It will also optimize the evaluation system for labor brokers.

Regarding measures to block goods linked to forced labor from entering Taiwan’s market, the Cabinet said it will rely on the Foreign Trade Act as the legal basis for regulation.