Migrant workers yesterday marched against gender-based exploitation and violence against female caretakers, and called for an end to paying high fees to broker agencies, in the lobby of Taipei Railway Station.
Activists and spokespeople for migrant workers from Southeast Asian countries said they were marking International Women’s Day, which was on Friday last week, and protesting discrimination, sexual harassment and unfair labor practices in Taiwan.
Organized by Migrante Taiwan, the National Domestic Workers’ Union, Serve the People Association and other labor rights organizations, the event began outside Taipei Railway Station before protesters marched on the walkway around the station building.
Photo: Ann Wang, Reuters
They held up banners and placards calling for rights for migrant workers, an end to the exploitation of female caretakers and justice for victims of abuse.
After the march, participants held a “dance for freedom” in the main lobby of Taipei Railway Station, which is linked to the One Billion Rising campaign, a global movement to end oppression, abuse and sexual violence against women, Migrante Taiwan chairperson Gilda Banugan said.
“More than 90 percent of domestic caregivers who look after the elderly at home are women migrant workers, while others hold jobs at factories, which they contribute significantly to the Taiwanese society and economy,” Banugan said, adding that these women often experience gender-based discrimination, harassment and even sexual assault, but victims only have limited legal protection.
“The absence of adequate safeguards leaves them vulnerable to exploitation and abuse,” Banugan said.
Speakers took turns to talk about their experience of discrimination.
Francia Balderama, a Filipino labor activist, said that she has worked in Taiwan for 11 years, in factories and as a caregiver, and that her work in the nation would soon be over, but she does not have retirement benefits or welfare assistance and therefore asked for better rights protections and wage support under labor laws.
Balderama also requested that her home country take responsibility to provide more financial support for migrant workers who return after working abroad.
Activists held banners in English and Tagalog saying: “Hold PH government accountable, end forced labor migration,” “Create more jobs in the Philippines” and “Resist BBM’s foreign-dependent charter change.”
“BBM” refers to Philippine President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.
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