A draft immigrant rights act has been sent to the Executive Yuan for review, Minister of the Interior Liu Shyh-fang (劉世芳) said on Wednesday, while calling for the establishment of a committee dedicated to immigrant affairs.
A draft basic act for new residents was discussed in the legislature’s Internal Administration Committee on April 29. However, as no conclusion was reached, lawmakers decided to wait until another version was submitted by the new administration after the inauguration on May 20.
The committee met again today to discuss various legislators’ proposals for an immigrant rights act.
Photo: Wang Yi-sung, Taipei Times
Speaking to reporters before appearing at the committee, Liu said that immigration is good for the nation’s declining birthrate and society as a whole.
There are about 600,000 immigrants in Taiwan, necessitating a dedicated law to manage their rights, she said.
The Ministry of the Interior has already sent its version to the Cabinet, which has yet to propose a finalized draft, she added.
Between the three major parties, eight or nine drafts have been proposed, she said, calling on the Cabinet to consolidate their views into one bill.
In her report to the committee, Liu said she would ask the Cabinet to expedite review of the bill.
Issues under debate include the name of the act and definition of “new resident,” she said.
In its version, the ministry suggested the name “new resident rights protection act,” since calling it a basic act might encroach on the domain of other laws, she said.
Separately, the ministry also hopes to establish an immigrant affairs committee under the Cabinet to dedicate personnel and funds to related initiatives, and consolidate policies among agencies, Liu said.
Issues to be handled by the committee would include establishing a national-level system for language interpretation and liberalizing academic qualifications, she said.
Temperatures in northern Taiwan are forecast to reach as high as 30°C today, as an ongoing northeasterly seasonal wind system weakens, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said. CWA forecaster Tseng Chao-cheng (曾昭誠) said yesterday that with the seasonal wind system weakening, warmer easterly winds would boost the temperature today. Daytime temperatures in northern Taiwan and Yilan County are expected to range from 28°C to 30°C today, up about 3°C from yesterday, Tseng said. According to the CWA, temperature highs in central and southern Taiwan could stay stable. However, the weather is expected to turn cooler starting tonight as the northeasterly wind system strengthens again
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) yesterday expressed “grave concerns” after Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong (黃循財) reiterated the city-state’s opposition to “Taiwanese independence” during a meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang (李強). In Singapore on Saturday, Wong and Li discussed cross-strait developments, the Singaporean Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement. “Prime Minister Wong reiterated that Singapore has a clear and consistent ‘one China’ policy and is opposed to Taiwan independence,” it said. MOFA responded that it is an objective fact and a common understanding shared by many that the Republic of China (ROC) is an independent, sovereign nation, with world-leading
COOLING OFF: Temperatures are expected to fall to lows of about 20°C on Sunday and possibly 18°C to 19°C next week, following a wave of northeasterly winds on Friday The Central Weather Administration (CWA) on Sunday forecast more rain and cooler temperatures for northern Taiwan this week, with the mercury dropping to lows of 18°C, as another wave of northeasterly winds sweeps across the country. The current northeasterly winds would continue to affect Taiwan through today, with precipitation peaking today, bringing increased rainfall to windward areas, CWA forecaster Liu Pei-teng (劉沛滕) said. The weather system would weaken slightly tomorrow before another, stronger wave arrives on Friday, lasting into next week, Liu said. From yesterday to today, northern Taiwan can expect cool, wet weather, with lows of 22°C to 23°C in most areas,
DEFENDING FREEDOM: Taiwanese love peace and helping others, and hope to be a positive force in the world, Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim told ‘Weltspiegel’ Taiwan is making every effort to prevent war in the face of China’s hybrid coercion tactics and military threats, Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) said in an interview with German public broadcaster ARD’s program Weltspiegel that aired on Monday. Taiwan is not seeking provocation or intending to disrupt international order, but “must possess the capacity for self-defense,” a news release issued by the Presidential Office yesterday quoted her as saying. Taiwan is closely watching not only the increasing scope and frequency of Chinese military exercises around the nation, but also Beijing’s hybrid and cognitive warfare tactics, including manipulating public opinion, fostering
RSS