Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) Chairman and presidential nominee Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) on Thursday proposed creating a “council of new immigrants” to handle issues relating to the 2 million new immigrants in Taiwan, who account for about 8.5 percent of the population.
At a news conference, Ko unveiled policy proposals regarding new immigrant, indigenous and Hakka populations.
Saying that there are about as many foreign spouses in Taiwan as there are indigenous people — about 600,000 in each group — Ko added that since there is a Cabinet-level Council of Indigenous Peoples, there should also be a council of new immigrants.
Photo: Tien Yu-hua, Taipei Times
The size of the “new immigrant” population rises to 2 million if international students, as well as the children of foreign spouses, migrant workers and professionals are included, he added, citing Immigration Agency and National Development Council data.
He outlined a plethora of issues facing new immigrants, including obstacles in teaching their native languages to their children, discrimination and illegal migrant workers, he said.
Ko also said that illegal migrant workers have been using National Health Insurance (NHI) cards that do not belong to them, causing some doctors to “falsify” the medical records of patients whom the workers impersonated, leading to more problems.
There is also inconsistency in the rules on the waiting period for new immigrants to receive their NHI and national ID cards, which should be addressed. For example, migrant workers are granted access to the NHI system upon arrival, but foreign spouses must wait six months, he said.
Commenting on the preservation and promotion of Hakka and indigenous cultures and languages, Ko stressed the importance of digitizing learning materials and events.
An online language database should be created for members of younger Hakka and indigenous generations by digitizing materials, he said, adding that this task is especially urgent in indigenous communities.
It is also crucial that events held in Hakka villages showcasing unique cultural elements continue to be held and expanded, he said.
In addition, companies should hold “Indigenous Peoples Day” events where children in indigenous villages are given tours of company premises, which would help promote identity and boost employment prospects for young indigenous people, he said.
Separately on Thursday, New Taipei City Mayor and Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) nominee Hou You-yi (侯友宜) outlined his own policies toward indigenous communities, saying he would do his utmost to better protect and boost their well-being.
Speaking at a news conference in New Taipei City’s Sijhih District (汐止), Hou said Taiwan’s indigenous peoples must be treated fairly and afforded equal opportunities to flourish and develop to their fullest potential.
As tribal elders are key figures who conserve and pass on the cultural heritage and traditional craftsmanship of their communities, Hou proposed a full NHI subsidy for those aged 55 to 64 (excluding those above a certain income level).
As most indigenous communities face a lack of resources, he promised a larger federal subsidy to build sustainable businesses by training locals and exploring local resources and cultural heritage, as a way of creating more jobs for young people, attracting more tourists and selling more agricultural products.
Underscoring his resolve to build a well-rounded education system to ensure the vitality of each indigenous language and culture, Hou said he would promote amendments to the Educational Fundamental Act (教育基本法) so indigenous people have the right to choose schools where their mother tongue is used.
Turning to the issue of safeguarding indigenous peoples’ right to claim their traditional ownership of territories, Hou said he firmly supports the passage of the draft “Oceans and Lands Rights Act” currently stalled in the legislature, which would honor their traditional way of living in harmony with nature and designate traditional territorial boundaries.
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