Fr. Bruno Ciceri of the Stella Maris International Service Center (SMISC) in Kaoshiung has been concerned about the Thai workers situation in Taiwan recently and fears that the same might happen to Filipinos working there. As a member of PMRW he proposed that the group discuss the matter with TECO.

In response to Fr. Bruno's proposal, PMRW President Carmelita Nuqui and Vice-President Fr. Fabio Baggio along with Celeste Marasigan, met with the TECO's Consular Division Director, Mr. Joseph Chang on September 19, 2005 to discuss matters pertaining to the Filipino situation in Taiwan .

Individual cases of workers' problems received by SMISC seemed to be increasing in number. The cases presented in the meeting were divided into four main concerns:

1. exchange of contracts upon arrival of the worker known as contract substitution;
2. underground deportation;
3. withholding of salaries/non-payment of overtime
4. maltreatment of workers

Documents were given to support such cases. Mr. Chang appreciated the information presented to him and assured the group that he will contact the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO), their counter part in Taiwan to verify if such cases do occur. He promised to convey the main points given and will contact PMRW once he receives word from MECO. He will also get in touch with the Council of Labor Affairs (CLA) to inform them of such cases and ask for their comments or possible solutions to the problems.

Fr. Fabio also presented a proposal for a conference in Taiwan , as earlier suggested by Fr. Bruno. A conference to better understand the situation of the workers in the country. It was agreed that we will prepare a written proposal to be presented to TECO for discussion.

Before the meeting ended it was also proposed to have a pilot project on language and culture education for migrant workers bound for Taiwan in the Scalabrini Center for People on the Move (SCPM). For now, all TECO can offer are the information posted in their website regarding Taiwanese culture but Mr. Chang will take the suggestion into consideration and consult with his colleagues regarding the matter.

The Director had positive responses on the meeting. Informing the proper people on the cases is now up to him. It is hoped that his interest on migrant welfare be seen in the steps that he'll take on the matters presented to him.

By: Maria Celeste A. Marasigan