TSMC Exec Says Workers Unwilling to Take Shifts Should Not Enter Chipmaking

One underrated factor behind poor work conditions in SC is that the industry is highly concentrated, with often only one or two dominant players playing a critical role in process. ASML on lithography, TSMC as foundry etc. This effectively means that employees don't have comparable, competitor employers to go to - where else do you go if you are a TSMC engineer? Hence, surprisingly labour has a weak negotiating position, resulting in very hard working conditions

I can see why something as capital intensive as semiconductors would need shifts, to use equipment as close to 24/7 as possible. But many other aspects of the working conditions are pretty bad, and not justified by the pay nor efficiency gains, I'd think. The enthusiasm that TSMC seems to think employees should have for their employer (in this and other articles) is off-putting, though explicable for a firm that is a standard-bearer for Taiwan, and at least in part a national project with symbolic significance there.

Cool. Thats why many dont. No one wants to work in such conditions and no one should. Wondering if he’s going to be as cocky when taiwan will need western help against china.

Vs. doing a quick web search just now, for what it's like to work in an Intel fab - the top (relevant) search result is a Glassdoor review headlined "don't work in the fab".

To what degree is Intel's less-bad Glassdoor rating (mentioned in the article) a result of "Intel's fabs are almost as bad, but they have lots of non-fab employees in the U.S., to dilute those downvotes..."?

Is this exec taking shifts at the floor for the same low compensation? If no, they have no right to say what others must or must not do.

There's a lot of things you should not enter if you are not strongly willed for 24/7 operation and appropriate readiness.

>common complaints mention:

    Heavy workloads
    Poor training
    Long hours
    High expectations from bosses / supervisors
    Limited breaks
    Work-life balance issues
    ‘Military style’ controlling atmosphere
    Stress
    

>12-hour days being standard practice

Poor training & undue stress are inexcusable, but the remaining factors must not be the cause of either when suitable workers are involved, and should not be complained about.

You need a hell of a lot more effective discipline than in the military, and it needs to be inner discipline so nothing overwhelming has to be imposed in a controlling way. The atmosphere of a well-oiled machine is by far most effective when no-one is barking orders whatsoever.

It's not supposed to be something that just anybody can do, especially not do well.

Executives unwilling to support workers adequately should not expect them to take shifts.

"Nobody wants to work any more"

Lots of empathy for the labor class, but no balance for the incredible results!

Supply and demand. Offer more for the shit shift, and maybe workers will think about it.