Kaohsiung Labor Museum Introduction
For over a century, Kaohsiung has been a crucial hub for industrial development, with its processing export zone contributing to Taiwan's economic miracle. With a large labor force and a rich, diverse labor culture, Kaohsiung has developed a unique industrial cityscape. To preserve and share the valuable narrative of Kaohsiung's economic growth and the cultural significance of its labor history, the nation's only labor museum was established in 2009 within the Pier-2 Art Center. The museum focuses on collecting, researching, preserving, and maintaining historical materials and cultural assets related to labor issues both domestically and internationally. Through interactive exhibitions, educational promotions, publications, and various cultural activities, it aims to help the public understand the life stories and cultural values of Taiwanese workers. In July 2015, the Labor Museum relocated and reopened at No. 261, Zhongzheng 4th Road, in the Qianjin District. The entrance features a statue of a worker wearing a hard hat and holding a double-ended wrench, while the wall at the entrance showcases a mosaic of a group of workers. Inside the museum, there are interactive permanent exhibitions such as "Marks of Sweat" and "Boat Transmission," as well as special exhibitions and collections that explore various labor issues. The museum serves as an important venue for gathering, presenting, and exchanging the vibrant stories of labor, providing insight into Kaohsiung's local culture and economic history.
