26-year old Annie will always remember that fateful night.
She was on the street late at night, not minding the wounds on her body, her hand tightly holding a piece of paper with the address of the Indonesia Representative Office in Taiwan. She was in a panic fleeing from the employer’s house.
Annie was running all the way, asking for direction from passersby, with the hope to quickly find the only place which could help her.
An Indonesian national, Annie has been in Taiwan for 4 years and 2 months. Her parents are farmers, living in poverty. She was then a little over 20 years old when she borrowed NT$80,000 from the bank to pay for her placement fee, in order to come to Taiwan as a caretaker.
Upon arrival, Annie found herself working as a domestic helper. She never met her elderly ward who lives in a nursing home, as originally arranged.
Everyday, she is trapped inside a four-storey building, cleaning, washing, gardening, and taking care of four children.
She worked from dawn till 2:00~3:00 in the morning. Even more frightening is, Annie said, her lady employer was often in a bad mood and would take it out on her, “She would hit and kick me, hit my head against the wall. Body bruises, nail scratches are common occurrences. Since her documents and mobile phones were under the custody of her employer, Annie could not freely go out everyday. She only worries about “Will I be beaten today?”“Who can help me?”
One night, early this year, the lady employer punched and kicked her, Annie could not stand it anymore. At the dead of the night, without turning back, Annie escaped from the four-storey building.
Presently, Annie is being sheltered in a social welfare institution. Wearing a mask, head down, and nervously rubbing both hands, she talked about that period of unbearable past. Asked her if the wounds still hurt, she whispered tearfully: “ If the employer does not like the foreign worker, she should not abuse the worker and take her to vent.”
The New Affairs Social Service Center is a social service organization dedicated to caring for disadvantaged individuals in the workplace, striving to promote a society where resources are shared for the common good. They have long been committed to improving the quality of life for migrant workers and elderly care, co-creating a harmonious society for migrant workers and employers. They help marginalized groups who suffer from exploitation and injustice, and they invite you to become their guardians. Your donation will help these vulnerable individuals in overcoming their difficulties and obtaining assistance for their rights. Please click(“I want to donate") or call (02) 2397-1933 #122. Thank you for your response and concern!