Liberty Times (LT): The US Department of State last year released the Trafficking in Persons Report and listed Taiwan as a Tier 1 country for the effectiveness of its human trafficking prevention and control efforts. How do you view this evaluation?
Jeff Yang (楊家駿): [I] feel affirmed. It was the result of administrative agencies working together and not completed independently by the National Immigration Agency (NIA). The key was the establishment of the Human Trafficking Prevention Task Force by the Executive Yuan. Everyone took completing this task seriously.
Photo: Huang Yao-cheng, Taipei Times
LT: In 2008, there were 25,000-plus foreigners whose whereabouts were unknown in Taiwan. Last year, [this number] suddenly increased to 52,000-plus people. Which countries’ citizens account for the majority of these people? How does the NIA search for missing migrant workers?
Yang: As of the end of last year, Vietnamese accounted for the highest number of missing foreigners remaining in Taiwan at 25,000-plus people, followed by Indonesians at 23,000-plus people.
After foreign migrant workers go missing, they might become victims of human trafficking groups and are controlled by drugs, absorbed into gangs, exploited and even sexually assaulted or engaged in sex work. Although the NIA is responsible for tracking down missing migrant workers, we should be their “keepers.” When missing migrant workers are isolated and helpless, even if they become victims, they are not self-aware.
The NIA wants to strengthen investigations into targeted hotspot areas where foreign migrant workers often gather, establish a social safety net system and keep watch by working with various boroughs and neighborhoods.
LT: Could missing migrant workers become a public safety problem in Taiwan?
Yang: [I] certainly worry. Ten years ago, the crime rate associated with missing migrant workers was one-fifth of that of Taiwanese. Five years ago, it had increased to nearly half of [that of Taiwanese]. Now, it has surpassed half of [that of Taiwanese].
Among the crimes, the main categories are offenses against public safety, theft and drugs. This does not mean that foreign migrant workers like to commit crimes in Taiwan. Rather, after they go missing, because the environment is poor, it easily gives rise to criminal behavior.
LT: Human trafficking groups import foreign migrant workers and women to illegally work and engage in prostitution in Taiwan. How is the NIA to combat human trafficking groups?
Yang: In terms of human trafficking, we would proactively investigate and not wait in the office for a phone call.
We would integrate social safety nets and visit community committee chairpersons, neighborhood and borough administrative officers, and civil groups in hopes of bringing the victims into the light.
Moreover, from migrant workers who appear in court, [we] would further investigate the possibility of organized crime being behind them.
Starting last year, the NIA stopped making investigations of missing migrant workers its main focus. Instead, the agency targets illegal go-betweeners and employers.
LT: Regarding foreign migrant workers in Taiwan who face oppression, exploitation and even sexual assault by bad employers, among other situations, how is the NIA to protect their human rights?
Yang: Taiwanese society often says that “the most beautiful scenery in Taiwan is the people,” but unfortunately, we also see things from a different perspective.
Where we have neglected our duty is — as Minister of the Interior Yeh Jiunn-rong (葉俊榮) once reminded us — that, unlike Taiwanese who go to the police when they have difficulties, victims of human trafficking do not seek help from the NIA.
Even if [we] perform remedial actions after the fact, the damage to the victims and to the country’s image has already been done.
In the past, guidance for immigrants had as its main target new immigrants and second-generation immigrants.
This year, [we] have started making an all-out effort to strengthen [our] connection with foreign migrant workers. We plan to go to the places where there are migrant workers to provide support and communication — this is the focus this year.
In terms of the protection of victims, the NIA has established several protection centers across the country to provide career guidance, making it possible for them to possess a skill when they return to their countries.
LT: Many new immigrants face culture shock and other forms of living adjustments. How does the NIA take care of them?
Yang:New immigrants are precious to us and, furthermore, second-generation immigrants are an asset.
Many new immigrants excel in Taiwanese industries. A comprehensive survey of countries throughout the world shows that countries’ new immigrants are what support the growth of powerful innovation.
I believe that the positive side of culture shock is that new immigrants have no framework and therefore no restrictions.
The second generation is still connected to the country of origin while adapting to Taiwan. This kind of ethnic integration can yield positive results for the nation’s future competitiveness. The imagination and creativity of some second-generation immigrants are what many young Taiwanese children do not possess.
Some new immigrants have a lower social and economic status when they arrive — this requires the government to give them support. Beginning in 2004 and continuing for 10 years, [the government] allocated NT$300 million (US$10.29 million) in “foreign spouse funds” every year and subsidized civil groups that participated in the support of foreigners. In 2016, the program was renamed the New Immigrant Development Fund.
In addition, the Executive Yuan in 2015 established the New Immigrant Affairs Coordination Task Force, which is responsible for coordinating relevant policies.
LT: Second-generation immigrants face culture shock in Taiwan and in their countries of origin. How would the NIA provide support and guidance for the families of new immigrants or second-generation immigrants?
Yang: The NIA hosts overseas talent development programs for second-generation immigrants.
During the summer and winter holidays, through a selection process, they are able to return to the countries of their mothers or fathers to study the language, experience living there and engage in cultural exchanges.
Some new immigrant mothers do not receive support from their husband’s family in Taiwan, so they send their children to be raised by their family overseas.
The NIA program assists them in bringing their children back to Taiwan to spend time with their mothers and to experience living in Taiwan, helping them to understand that Taiwan is also their country in hopes that they can contribute to Taiwan someday.
Translated by staff writer Sherry Hsiao
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