Taipei: A coalition of civic groups gathered at the Taipei Main Station on Sunday to raise public awareness of abuses against female migrant workers and the fate of Palestinians in the ongoing war in Gaza.
According to Focus Taiwan, the rally supported the "One Billion Rising" global campaign launched in 2012 to end violence against women, under the theme "unite for a world free from war, exploitation and displacement." Key focus areas included the rights of female migrant workers.
Dozens of migrant workers, chanting slogans like "migrant women, fight for equal workers' rights," marched around Taipei Main Station to conclude International Women's Month. They later gathered in the concourse to deliver speeches.
Balderama Francia from the Philippines, chairperson of the National Domestic Workers' Union, recounted being severely beaten while working as a domestic caregiver in Taiwan. She criticized recruitment agencies for not assisting workers despite charging substantial "service fees," leading to debt for many migrant workers.
Francia highlighted that live-in caregivers are not covered by Taiwan's Labor Standards Act, urging both Taiwan and migrants' home countries to address these "injustices." Lennon Wang, director of migrant worker policies at the Serve the People Foundation, noted similar exclusions for fishing boat crews and called for "fair recruitment principles."
The rally also spotlighted the plight of Palestinians in Gaza. Amel Eid, a Palestinian psychologist in Taiwan, drew parallels between the struggles of female migrant workers and Palestinian women facing daily challenges of displacement and war.
Laura Moye, Israel/Palestine coordinator for Amnesty International Taiwan, stated that AI has determined Israel's actions in Gaza constitute "genocide." She criticized Taiwan's ongoing business with Israel, urging a reevaluation of such relations.