A push for better rights for migrant workers in Taiwan conducted by a labor non-governmental organization has won strong support – over 90% of nearly 2,500 respondents, including local people and foreign workers, during the first phase of the campaign.
The Migrant Empowerment Network in Taiwan (MENT) launched the three-month campaign on September 17 to gather public feedback on three key issues – whether caregivers in people’s homes should be protected by the Labor Standards Act, whether migrant workers should enjoy the right to change employers, and whether private employment agencies should be scrapped and such duties be undertaken by the government, The Commons Daily reported over the weekend.
Some 2,447 local people and foreign workers gave feedback on these issues. Just over 2,100 were migrant workers, while the remaining 338 were Taiwan citizens. All three issues secured an average of 2,400 votes in favor.
The number of Taiwanese voters who give feedback is expected to surge in the latter phases of gauging support as various non-government groups are yet to express their positions at this stage.
A Taiwanese woman surnamed Lui who employs a migrant caregiver told Real Daily that she supported home caregivers being protected by the Labor Standards Act, which could enable them to get a better salary and welfare protection.
She saw it as a win-win scenario that would make migrant workers happier when taking care of elderly people at home, and employers would not need to worry about having to find new helpers frequently.
Meanwhile, a Taiwanese man surnamed Chen said it was important to crack down on private employment agencies that charge exorbitant referral fees.
But he said pushing for the public to vote in a referendum on these issues was “too political”.
Migrant worker Sumiyati told Central News Agency that she favored a referendum on these issues, as domestic workers in Taiwan currently earn only NT$17,000 (US$559) a month – NT$4,000 less than the legal minimum wage of NT$21,009, and they are not protected under the Labor Standards Act. Their work hours could be unlimited and days off were not guaranteed.
We are care takers we need to increase mininum wage 21009nt$ because all of us are not same situation,,yes we are free for house but we are buying also our own facilities like shampoo,colgate,biscuit,etc.
Not all empoyers are giving us this thing for our self…thanks if you please consider our opinion
Yes,,correct all caretakers or caregivers at home very hard dties everyday and verr tired,wholeday til nigth,like me my duty 24 hrs everyday,but the salary same,,,17 plus .caregivers salary desreved salary increase…bvoz every so many extra work,like,washing clesning,cooking,ironing,or ect
Good morning..in my 9 yrs here i cant have any salary additional…do care take have the right to have that salary…house work + care taker combine but untill now..no..bcoz they said direct hire no need..thank you..
very well said
Well that’s good consideration for all housemaid hardworking and really work with heart,please Im hoping for your kind consideration Taiwan government.
Tama po,kadalasan pa 24hrs pa kami nagttrabaho dahil kasama namin sa kwarto alaga namin.wala naman bayad ang subrang oras namin.
I am a caretaker here also in Meishan Township, Chiayi and we have a right for that salary increase because a caretaker like me is work so hard aside taking care of ahkong I do also some house wirks like cleaning washing and other works and I also work in the food stall of my madam helping them serve the costumers, cleaning and washing the dishes even though working in the food house was not include in my contract and I feel do tired everyday but I carry all of that because I came here for work and even though how tired I feel I did not complain them so we hope that dalaty increase will be granted for us at hoping na tanggalin na nla yung ibang other fees na knakaltas sa salary nmin every month thank you
Definitely TRue!..
Being a caregiver at home is not a joke!..We are responsible for our patient’s life..Lack of sleep and rest..Do the House chores and all everything and Yet the law are being so unfair for not giving us the right pay for our job..
We are not belong to the proper security of the law and rules.. Among all the foreign Worker here.. Our Job is more than A million times harder than being a factory Worker.. We are hoping and looking forward for the good response from the Government of Taiwan and so to all the leaders… We are praying that they will lend their ears to hear us about these issues.. And Looking forward for the Fair Treatment to all the foreign workers here.GODBLESS US ALL.. and Happy Working ????
I am a caretaker also here in taoyuan. for me it’s so risky and I don’t have a freedom you know why because I have a day OFF. one time I ASKED my boss to day OFF EVEN on those day only but he won’t give me a day off. I’m not asking every month I want to have a day OFF. but I’m.just hoping EVEN only ONCE pero hnd nila ako pinag bigyan. kaya sana pag tuunan din ito ng pansin sa mga government NATIN na NA.DITO sa taiwan yong mga amo na hnd sumusonod sa batas. or kong TALAGA ayaw nilang magbigay ng day OFF dagdagan nila ang sahud ko or I will break my contact.
Hopefully this minimum wage of salary 21009nt will impose
Coz I’m also a care giver at home but not only taking care of elderly but I’m also doing house work from 6a.m. until 12midnight