The National Police Agency’s anti-fraud campaigns and policies have failed to adequately protect migrant workers and spouses, who are shown to be at high risk, the TransAsia Sisters Association (TSAT) and other civic groups told a news conference today.
The groups called on the government to release multilingual information and communication channels, with a reporting mechanism that is accessible for migrant workers and new arrivals.
The number of migrants in Taiwan reached 1.45 million as of June, with 840,000 migrant workers and 610,000 migrant spouses, the association said.
Photo: CNA
This morning’s conference, jointly held with the Immigration and Resettlement Human Rights Amendment Alliance and the Taiwan Immigration Youth Alliance, presented a report on a study of institutional issues of migrant workers falling prey to scams.
Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislator Alicia Wang (王育敏) and Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Lin Yueh-chin (林月琴) were also in attendance.
The government promotes anti-fraud campaigns for “all of society,” but it too often overlooks groups that need the most protection, such as migrant workers and migrant spouses, TSAT director Hung Man-chi (洪滿技) said.
This includes anti-fraud guidelines, support hotlines and reporting systems, leaving victims with nowhere to turn to, she said.
Taiwan has 165 anti-fraud hotlines, although they are available only in Chinese and are not accessible to non-native speakers, Wang said.
The study found that migrants often fall victim to “everyday scams” in areas such as shopping or dating, and “systemic fraud,” TSAT chairperson Chou Hui-ying (周慧盈) said.
This reflects loopholes in policy that leaves migrant workers open to long-term risk, even leaving some undocumented or missing, Chou said.
Almost 30 percent of respondents reported being scammed by recruiters using misleading information regarding job transfers, legal documentation or high-paying job opportunities, she said.
Another 30 percent said they had encountered scammers impersonating government agencies or reputable companies, she added.
The study also found that those who experienced fraud were more likely to turn to friends, those from the same community or local immigrant or migrant organisations, she said.
Only a small percentage chose to file a report with the police, it found, showing that official mechanisms are rarely the first point of call for Taiwan’s migrants.
FUKUOKA SITUATION: Japanese media reported that the pathogen is expected to be identified by the summer, while the CDC downplayed the idea that it was hMPV A “mysterious cold-like illness” reported in Japan’s Fukuoka Prefecture does not seem to be a new disease, but Japanese authorities have been asked about the situation, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said yesterday. The Fukuoka Prefectural Medical Association on Wednesday told a news conference that a “mystery cold” that has become a hot topic on social media is “highly likely to be caused by some kind of viral infection,” Japan’s KBC News reported. “Many people are experiencing symptoms starting with a sore throat, followed by a runny nose, phlegm and a severe cough,” KBC News reported, citing association officials. Health authorities are
Nvidia Corp CEO Jensen Huang (黃仁勳) arrived in Taiwan yesterday ahead of upcoming AI and technology events, saying he plans to meet with clients and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Chairman C.C. Wei (魏哲家) during his visit. After landing at Taipei Songshan Airport, Huang posed for photos with fans and handed out Yakult drinks to reporters and supporters waiting at the scene, saying he has “a lot to do” during the trip. Asked about reports that Nvidia’s planned headquarters site in Taipei’s Beitou Shilin Technology Park could break ground on May 27, Huang said that if the company holds an event, he would
The Ministry of Finance this afternoon announced the winning numbers for the March-April uniform invoice lottery. The winning number for the NT$10 million (US$318,060) special prize is 19531471, and the winning number for the NT$2 million grand prize is 85941329. Three numbers were drawn for the NT$200,000 first prize: 07225810, 20231230 and 83518781. Those with receipts matching the last seven digits of any of the first-prize numbers will win the NT$40,000 second prize, while those matching the last six digits will win the NT$10,000 third prize. Those whose receipts match the last five digits of the first-prize numbers can claim the NT$4,000 fourth prize,
SIX SUBSIDIES: The monthly allowance for older farmers is to increase to NT$10,000, and NT$5,000 is to be given to homemakers under the national pension system, Lai said The government is to implement major welfare policies for disadvantaged groups, including raising the monthly allowance for older farmers to NT$10,000 and providing homemakers with NT$5,000 per month, President William Lai (賴清德) said yesterday. Lai made the remarks during a visit to Wangling Temple in Chiayi County, saying that the planned increases were being introduced amid economic growth and an increase in tax revenue. Touting a policy, in which the government plans to provide a monthly allowance of NT$5,000 for every child under the age of 18 in a bid to address Taiwan’s low birthrate, Lai said that if received for the
RSS