Immigrants Should Have the Same Rights as Taiwanese

張貼日期：Jun 16, 2017 2:28:23 PM

Sum Tsen

Migration has created and responded to development changes within Taiwan, both demographically and socioeconomically. The average monthly salary per person for foreigners hired to perform specialized technical jobs may not be below NT$47,971 in order to become an eligible foreign worker in Taiwan. But the question remains: “Why do Taiwanese Government expect foreign worker to obtain such a high amount of monthly salary while the average salary for Taiwan fresh graduate is only NT$28,440?!” I personally think that Taiwan must devise policy strategies to prevent exploitation of immigrants, attract migrants with high human capital, and combat inequality towards immigrants because it is essential for immigrants to be treated equally just as Taiwan citizens.

Recent developments in Taiwan’s economy, and more importantly its population structure, have led to a rethinking of the national position on immigration. As immigrants account for the vast majority of working force, Taiwan’s vaunted National Health Insurance system must include immigrants as eligible applicants under this system to avoid exploitation from employers. Labor pension schemes must similarly include immigrants in this system so that their life after retirement can be guaranteed.

Taiwan has long been a magnet for an array of people attracted by its strategic location along vital East Asian shipping routes. As the composition of the Taiwan population rapidly ages, the size of the labor force has been shrinking substantially each year. The Taiwan government has begun adopting a far more open approach to immigration, looking for ways to recruit highly skilled people from around the world to boost its plateauing economy and its declining population. Given that demographic challenge, the government is looking at promoting immigration as a means of maintaining economic growth and vitality. A Talent Recruitment Policy Committee has been established under the Executive Yuan to explore ways to attract both white-collar professionals and specialized blue-color skilled workers from other countries.

According to The Constitution of the Republic of China Article 7: “All citizens irrespective of sex, religion, ethnic origin, class, or party affiliation, shall be equal before the law.” It would sound unacceptable to discriminate against low skilled immigrants while providing benefits and protect the social welfare of highly skilled immigrants in Taiwan! Since Taiwan is such a civilized and modern country, why can’t immigrants have the same rights as Taiwanese? Both dynamic highly skilled immigrants or low skilled immigrants will make positive contributions to Taiwan’s economy and society, regardless of their country of origin, as taxpayers and consumers. Taiwan is well known for its equality policy globally and I hope that one day in future immigrants can have equal rights just as Taiwan citizens.

Despite these challenges, the cultural landscape in Taiwan is changing; the changing cultural dynamic in Taiwan points to a trend toward an increasing acceptance of multiculturalism. While Taiwan’s immigration policy has come a long way in recent years, there is still much that could be done to open the society up. The first step is making sure immigration policy doesn’t restrict or dissuade talented foreigners from living and working in the country.