Pregnant migrant workers receive psychological & life support and stay at temporary home provided by The Garden of Hope Foundation!

【Taiwan Immigrants' Global News Network】Translated by CHI CHIA I

To assist pregnant migrant workers, the Ministry of Labor (MOL) subsidized the Taoyuan City Government and commissioned The Garden of Hope Foundation (勵馨基金會) to handle the “Service Center for Women’s and Children’s Consultation (外國籍婦幼諮詢服務中心)”.

Starting from January 1, consultation on laws and rights, psychological support, life support, and temporary home are provided to pregnant migrant workers, hoping to reduce the cases of undocumented migrant workers.

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Pregnant migrant workers can apply to the MOL for a temporary suspension of looking for a new employer. (Photo / Retrieved from Pixabay)

Migrant workers are subject to the "Act of Gender Equality in Employment" - employers shall not discriminate against employees because of their gender or sexual orientation in the case of retirement, discharge, severance, and termination. Migrant workers are also entitled to the 5-day pregnancy checkup leave and the 8-week maternity leave before and after childbirth. The spouse also has the 5-day paternity leave.

In addition, migrant workers can also choose whether they are willing to be dismissed based on the situation. Generally, migrant workers need to find a new employer within a certain period after dismissal. However, pregnant migrant workers can apply to the MOL for a temporary suspension of looking for a new employer with a certificate of diagnosis or the Maternal Health Booklet and stay in Taiwan to give birth.

After giving birth in Taiwan, although the child does not have any nationality, one can rely on one of his / her parents who is legally residing in Taiwan and therefore be eligible for National Health Insurance.

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Pregnant migrant workers receive support and can stay at temporary home provided by The Garden of Hope Foundation. (Photo / Provided by MOL)

At present, the capacity of the temporary home provided by The Garden of Hope Foundation is about 25 people. Usually, it will assist pregnant migrant workers to settle until the end of pregnancy for 60 days. However, the period of staying at a temporary home can be extended to 6 months based on different cases. Job hunting will also be helped after their pregnancy.