FINAL STATEMENT OF THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE
EPISCOPAL COMMISSION FOR MIGRANTS AND
ITINERANT PEOPLES (ECMI)
OF THE CHINESE REGIONAL BISHOPS CONFERENCE (CRBC)
The Internationale Conference:
To the receiving Country (Taiwan government):
Migration is a growing global phenomenon which affects
both Church and society. Millions of people move within countries in the region
or in other parts of the world for economic, socio-political or religious
reasons as well as for reasons beyond personal control.
Taiwan has become a destination country in Asia for
people from Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. Presently, there are
more than 340,000 foreign workers and more than 380,000 new immigrants (foreign
spouses) from these countries.
The migrant workers and new immigrants through their
hard work and sacrifice have benefited economically, sociologically and
culturally both their countries of origin and Taiwan.
Upon the initiative of the Episcopal Commission for
Migrants and Itinerant Peoples (ECMI) of the Chinese Regional Bishops Conference (CRBC),
representatives from the Churches of origin (Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand
and Vietnam), together with representatives from NGO’s providing assistance to
migrant workers and new immigrants (foreign spouses) throughout the whole
island and interested individuals,
gathered at the Wencui Center, in
Taipei County, from March 16 to 19, 2007 for the International Conference: “The
Catholic Church in Asia Cares for the Migrants in Taiwan”.
More than eighty participants came to know each other,
share and discuss their experiences and renew their commitment to journey with
their migrant brothers and sisters regardless of nationality, religion, culture
or race.
The keynote addresses have helped us to understand
that different religions agree on the same principle of solidarity for, and
respect and protection of every individual person.
His Eminence Renato Raffaele Cardinal Martino,
President of Pontifical Council for Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant
Peoples reminded us that: “Human mobility
has always been a concern of the Church in the ongoing endeavor to promote and
protect human rights and the fundamental dignity of the human person.” The Most Venerable Hsin Ting, Abbot Emeritus
of Fo Guang Shan in presenting the Dharma teaching told us that: “It is a fundamental Buddhist principle that
we should respect and treat one another equally, regardless of nationality,
race, social class, gender or age.” Then Mr. Chao-Yam Ma, Chairman of
Taipei Mosque Foundation stated that: “Treat
the travelers with kindness” is a guiding Islamic teaching.
The reports of those directly ministering to migrant
workers and new immigrants in Taiwan have made us realize the depressing
situation of the migrant workers and the new immigrants who are suffering
exploitation and other pains and difficulties. We feel one with their plight
and want to reinforce their cries for help and bettering their situation.
The reports of the sending churches have also informed
us of the programs for migrant workers and new immigrants in their respective
churches.
With these insights, we would like to present
the following recommendations:
1.
Improve the economic conditions of the country by providing and securing
sufficient job opportunities for their people that will offer alternatives to
migration.
2.
Review any government policy that makes export of human labour a mere
commodity and an essential part of the economic development strategy.
3.
Enforce the implementation of policies that will ensure the protection
and welfare of migrant workers and new immigrants.
4.
Provide qualified, dedicated and committed personnel to effectively
respond to the migrant workers’ problems, including structures needed to
sufficiently address the welfare of distressed migrant workers and new
immigrants.
5.
Organize effective reintegration programs for returning migrants.
6.
Devise significant information campaigns on migrants’ issues, especially
on the social costs of migration.
7.
Great effort needs to be put in to Preventing trafficking of people,
Protecting the victims and Prosecuting offenders.
1.
Review labor provisions in the Labor Standard Law so as to prevent the
practice of contract substitution, being rampantly practiced in Taiwan.
2.
Enact laws for the protection of household workers and care givers.
3.
Enforce the implementation of the direct hiring Memorandum of Agreement
(MoA).
4.
Supervise and monitor the brokerage system to prevent abuse and
exploitation of migrants.
5.
Formulate and implement multi Memorandums of Agreement (MOA) with the
sending countries.
6.
Greater effort needs to be put into preventing trafficking of people,
acting so as to protect the victims and prosecute the offenders.
1.
Renewing our commitment and dedication to the work among migrant workers
and new immigrants and their families.
2.
Lobbying for the ratification of the 1990 UN International Convention on
the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of theirs
Families.
1.
Continue coordination with the sending churches and expand services for
the migrant workers and new immigrants.
2.
Promote and strengthen awareness of the local church concerning migrant
workers and new immigrants, integrating them more into parish life while
respecting their cultural and religious diversity.
3.
Catholic institutions use direct hiring if they need to hire migrant
workers.
4.
Give greater attention to the Christian and value formation of the
children of new immigrants.
5.
To continue lobbying the Taiwan government to implement laws and
policies to further protect the human and labor rights of migrant workers and
the rights of new immigrants.
1.
Avail of the services offered by the Catholic Church and other NGOs for
your pastoral and social welfare. Encourage others to do the same.
2.
Be aware of your rights and empower yourselves by forming sharing and
support groups so that you could help yourselves and others.
3.
Deepen, live and share your faith with others.
We appreciate the initiative of the Church in Taiwan
in convening this Conference, that along with the increased awareness and
commitment of the local bishops to the cause of migration, are signs of hope
for the hundreds of thousand migrant workers and new immigrants seeking to make
Taiwan their home. We renew our
commitment and solidarity in the pastoral care of migrant workers and new immigrants
in Taiwan.
16 -19 March, 2007 – Wencui Center, Taipei County