As part of the ongoing debate over alleged forced labour in the Taiwanese bicycle industry, Giant has announced today that it will reimburse current migrant workers hired before 1 January, 2025, for their previous recruitment expenses.
The announcement follows the Trump administration’s barring of Giant bicycles, components and accessories made in Taiwan. The ban followed US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) saying it had identified ‘forced labour indicators’ during an investigation of the cycling brand.
One of the indicators of forced labour that the CBP identified was debt bondage, where a person is forced to work to pay off a debt.
Last year, investigative journalist Peter Bengtsen found migrant employees at Giant had paid high recruitment fees.
“For decades, workers hired from abroad have paid exorbitant fees to home-country recruiters and Taiwanese labour brokers for jobs and services. As a result, workers borrow significantly from banks and money lenders, often at excessive interest rates, and thereby risk debt bondage while working in Taiwan to pay off loans,” Bengtsen told BikeRadar.
Following the import ban, Giant was seeking to revoke the CBP’s decision. Since the start of 2025, it has implemented a zero recruitment fee policy.
Now, it says it has hired an international third-party advisor “to identify, assess, and develop a comprehensive compensation plan to reimburse current migrant workers hired before January 1, 2025, for their previous recruitment expenses”.
“Giant Group has already initiated the first phase of fee reimbursement payment this week to demonstrate its commitment. Giant has made the provision in the book with sufficient funding ability to support the payment so Giant can ensure all migrant workers receive what they are eligible for. This is a further concrete action to fulfill the company’s commitment to human rights and fair employment practices,” a statement from Giant read.
Giant also said it has completed the relocation of all migrant worker dormitories, with 400 workers moving into newly built facilities.
“The new dormitories were designed and upgraded in line with international labor and human rights standards, providing a safe, healthy, and respectful living environment that meets fire protection, construction, and public safety requirements,” Giant said.
The CBP’s decision to bar Giant imports sent shockwaves through the Taiwanese bicycle industry.
Following the blockade, Merida announced a zero-fee recruitment policy for migrant workers, effective from 1 October, as well as a reimbursement scheme. Merida said that while it complies with Taiwanese labour laws, it is committed to “internationally recognised labour standards”.
Last week, the Taiwan Bicycle Association (TBA) announced an initiative for industry suppliers to observe human rights, following the CBP's announcement that it would detain Giant shipments.
“To meet growing global expectations for Human Rights Due Diligence (HRDD) and sustainable supply chain governance, the Taiwan Bicycle Association (TBA) has announced an industry initiative encouraging suppliers across the value chain to undertake supply chain due diligence, with a particular focus on human rights and forced labor," the TBA said.
The TBA said it would also provide suppliers with a self-assessment checklist to help suppliers conduct internal reviews to ensure compliance with Taiwanese law and align with international standards.
