Government urged to assist Chinese spouses to find legal employment

Legislator Lai Shyh-bao (賴士葆) of the opposition New Party said yesterday that although the government has opened the door to allow Chinese spouses of Taiwan residents to work in Taiwan, the lack of matching measures have resulted in the repatriation since the start of this year of more than 300 Chinese spouses for working illegally.

Lai noted at a press conference held at the Legislative Yuan that the legislature revised the Statute Governing the Relations between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area last December and that the bill was promulgated by the Executive Yuan on Feb. 20.

The new revision stipulates that Chinese spouses are allowed to apply to related government agencies for work permits during their stay in Taiwan and that the Council of Labor Affairs is in charge of mapping out matching measures for approval and management.

He said that though the revised bill was passed, matching measures are still lacking, causing confusion to some and giving many the mistaken impression that they are now able to work legally in Taiwan.

He cited Bureau of Immigration statistics showing that from Jan. 1 to March 19, 346 Chinese spouses were expelled for working illegally in Taiwan. Among them, 68 were expelled after Feb. 20 when the Executive Yuan promulgated the revised bill.

Lai has therefore suggested several remedial measures, saying that the COA should map out related guidelines immediately.

Meanwhile, several Chinese spouses and their families who attended the press conference criticized the government for ignoring their working rights.

They said the government has adopted a double standard, noting that Chinese brides don't even get treatment equal to that given to foreign brides, who have the right to work in Taiwan and receive residence status within a short period of time.