Final statement of the international conference:

“The Catholic Church in Asia Cares for the Migrants in Taiwan”

16 th -19 th March, 2007 – Wencui Center, Taipei County

Introduction

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 that are purely immoral.

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” .

The International Conference

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:

To the sending governments:

•  Improve the economic conditions of the country by providing and securing sufficient job opportunities for their people that will offer alternatives to migration.

•  Review any government policy that makes export of human labour a mere commodity and an essential part of the economic development strategy.

•  Enforce the implementation of policies that will ensure the protection and welfare of migrant workers and new immigrants.

•  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.

•  Organize effective reintegration programs for returning migrants.

•  Devise significant information campaigns on migrants' issues, especially on the social costs of migration.

•  Great effort needs to be put in to Preventing trafficking of people, Protecting the victims and Prosecuting offenders.

To the receiving country (Taiwan government):

•  Review labor provisions in the Labor Standard Law so as to prevent the practice of contract substitution, being rampantly practiced in Taiwan.

•  Enact laws for the protection of household workers and care givers.

•  Enforce the implementation of the direct hiring Memorandum of Agreement (MoA).

•  Supervise and monitor the brokerage system to prevent abuse and exploitation of migrants.

•  Formulate and implement multi Memorandums of Agreement (MOA) with the sending countries.

•  Greater effort needs to be put into preventing trafficking of people, acting so as to protect the victims and prosecute the offenders.

To the Churches of origin:

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.

To the receiving church in Taiwan:

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.

To the migrant workers and 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.