Hello! Is this Jason (the name of the Renum Novarum Center staff)? I am Loma, the one who asked for your help more than two years ago. Do you remember me?
After some deep reminiscing, the staff remembered this Foreign fisherman Loma. Back then, Loma was a foreign fisherman in Penghu. Due to the heavy workload, minimum rest time, and the fact that the ship only has two fishermen while the job requires five, Loma wanted to leave the ship and the heavy labor field as a whole. However, this resulted in him being homeless and wandering around the port, not knowing what his next steps were.
A fellow countryman found out about his situation and gave him the phone number for the Renum Novarum Center, hoping he could find a solution to his predicament.
Due to the distance issue and the fact that Loma had already left and refused to return to the employer’s ship, the staff guided Loma to take a boat to Taiwan’s main island in hopes of solving the issue through different methods and channels.
When Loma arrived in Taiwan, some of his fellow countrymen advised him to go to another social welfare organization for help. So he did. When the Renum Novarum Center staff called Loma about his situation, he informed the staff that he had gone to another organization. The organization told Loma not to accept assistance from other organizations in case of overlapping resources and services.
Loma thanked the staff for helping him back to Taiwan’s main island so that he would no longer wander on the outer islands of Penghu.
The staff told him that “It’s alright. Let the current organization assist you. If the help you get in the future does not meet your expectations, or if you have to become a lost migrant worker due to regulations, please pay attention to your own safety. When you want to go home, I will definitely help you go home.”
Because of this sentence, "I will definitely help you go home," Loma trusted this promise and found the Renum Novarum Center staff again after more than two years.
Loma told the staff on the phone that the organization assisted him with the termination of the contract and the issue of salary. But he did not find another job during the time limit for changing employers. In addition, there are still outstanding agency fees for his home, and his mother also needs medical expenses. In the end, he could only choose to stay in Taiwan and work illegally to pay off the agency fee and the mother’s medical expenses.
The staff told Loma that he had tried to contact him about his condition, but the number could not be reached, and Loma could not be contacted.
Loma told the staff embarrassingly that he had got rid of his old number and changed to a new one because he was afraid of being found out about his overstay.
The staff then asked why does Loma want to go home now. Loma said that he was working every day, and his employer only paid in cash. But his eyes are getting worse, and his vision is getting blurred. He was often scolded by his employer for failing to do a good job. “Forget it,” he thought to himself, “let’s go home.”
Even though the agency fee had been paid and his mother had passed away, Loma thought it was still best to go home. At the time, he had around 10,000 NTD to his name, and he wished to go back home as soon as possible. He was afraid of surrendering himself to the government, so he asked the staff to accompany him as well as the process of returning home.
The staff informed Loma of the process of surrendering himself and the related fees to be paid so that Loma could clearly understand the process without worrying. They agreed to a meeting place so the staff could accompany Loma to complete his journey home.
Promises are the signs of Renum Novarum Center’s persistence in its service targets so that the laborers in trouble can get the help they need. In the workers’ chaotic thoughts, we guide them to rationally analyze and clarify their own rights. Through the staff’s professional service, the individuals and groups in predicaments can develop abilities to face obstacles and to help others through their own experiences.
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!