▲The Migrant Friends of Rerum Novarum Chinese Class
Due to the impact of declining birth rates and an aging population, Taiwan's population structure is gradually changing. The demand for labor in the social welfare and industrial markets has been severely undersupplied. Despite implementing various labor policies targeting Taiwanese citizens, the government has been unable to meet the market's demands. Since the Employment Service Act was enacted in 1992, foreign labor has been introduced to Taiwan to assist with labor force shortages. This practice has continued for over three decades, with more than 720,000 migrant workers coming to Taiwan for work as of April this year. Taiwan's ongoing population structural imbalance, along with differences in the work values of the younger generation, has led to a severe labor shortage in the job market.
New Vision Social Service Center and the Mustard Seed Association recognize that despite the presence of migrant workers in Taiwanese society for over three decades, the general public remains unfamiliar with or misunderstands this migrant worker community. Therefore, they have jointly organized an exchange event to help people get to know foreign migrant workers better. The aim is for participating students to gain an understanding of the relevant issues concerning migrant workers and to learn about their work values and motivation.
A total of 35 university students and 12 foreign migrant workers from Indonesia and Vietnam participated in this event. The event facilitated in-depth contact, interviews, and interactions between students and migrant workers, allowing them to share and learn about the lives of migrant workers in Taiwan. At the beginning of the event, students were encouraged to share their knowledge about the services provided by Rerum Novarum Center. It was apparent that many students had done their homework and were well-prepared, as they were able to accurately describe the center's service offerings. During these exchanges, the Rerum Novarum staff guided the students to understand the center's original intentions and vision in providing services, emphasizing the use of a professional approach to serve the communities in need.
Next, the students and migrant workers were divided into five groups. This group format allowed the students to directly interview the migrant workers to understand their situations and the challenges they face in Taiwan. Some migrant workers who were fluent in Chinese conversed with the students. These workers had attended New Vision's Chinese language classes to help them communicate effectively in their work and daily life in Taiwan.
"Where are you from?" This was a common question from the students, driven by curiosity about the backgrounds of the migrant workers. Each migrant worker arrived in Taiwan with their own hopes and aspirations. This question served as a starting point for the students to learn about the differences in each worker's home country. In today's globalized world, many of us may leave our homelands to work or study in other countries, and we all hope for friendly treatment when entering a foreign land. This event allowed the students to gain a deeper understanding of the migrant workers' life experiences and stories, fostering a greater appreciation for this community. Starting with introductions about their home countries, the migrant workers then shared details about their work situations, their adaptation to life in Taiwan, and their daily lives. These conversations resembled getting to know new friends, with mutual sharing of cultures and experiences, promoting social integration.
▲Sharing by Indonesian Migrant Workers
Among the interactions between students and migrant workers, one particularly impressive story was that of Ah Jin. He used to work in a factory but, thanks to the training provided by Rerum Novarum Center, he became a Vietnamese language teacher two years ago. He transitioned from being someone who received help to someone who helps others, assisting Vietnamese migrant workers in need of translation services. This transformation left a deep impression on the students, who were amazed by Ah Jin's learning abilities. It also shattered preconceived notions about foreign residents in Taiwan.
During the interactions, some migrant workers shared stories of themselves or their friends who had been mistreated by employers or had their passports confiscated. They also discussed cases of exorbitant service fees charged by intermediaries. These revelations surprised many students, as they learned about the challenges faced by migrant workers who not only earn meager salaries but also have to pay substantial sums to intermediary agencies. New Vision continues to communicate with the government in hopes of bringing about improvements and reforms in these areas. Policy changes that favor migrant workers could potentially influence employers and related entities to treat this community more fairly and progressively.
This event not only facilitated genuine communication between Taiwanese students and foreign migrant workers but also allowed the students to hear about the real-life situations of migrant workers from their own perspectives. They gained insights into the challenges these workers face and how we, as local residents, can help them. Being kind is a way of being good to ourselves. Hopefully, in the future, these students will be more empathetic towards people from other countries and, with their good intentions, treat them with respect and inclusivity. This will promote social integration and harmony in Taiwanese society within this diverse cultural landscape.
Rerum Novarum 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!