UTSDGs

【USR Hub】"Taipei City University 1+101" Taipei Net-Zero Collaboration Platform Project - ESG Talent Sustainability Series Lecture — The Challenge of Self-Care: Health Risks of Migrant Workers from the Perspective of NPOs

During the lecture, Dr. Chen shared several real-life cases that vividly illustrate the living difficulties of migrant workers in Taiwan. One case involved a Filipino caregiver who was diagnosed with breast cancer and nearly lost the opportunity for treatment due to the repatriation plan imposed by the recruitment agency. Fortunately, with the intervention of an NGO, she was able to undergo surgery and chemotherapy, but she continued to work while receiving treatment, even after the cancer recurred. Another migrant worker, who became disabled due to a car accident, faced long-term psychological and physical distress, as the recruitment agency deducted exorbitant medical fees and there were language communication barriers. There was also a migrant worker who suffered from workplace violence, leading to psychological trauma and ultimately choosing to return to their home country. Dr. Chen emphasized that the vulnerability of migrant workers is not only reflected in their economic and social status but also in the health risks they face and the lack of psychological support. He called for society to provide more comprehensive multilingual medical information, strengthen the supervision of migrant workers' workplace and living environments, and establish effective healthcare networks for them. He also pointed out that NGOs play an indispensable role in helping migrant workers fight for basic rights, but these efforts require more social support and policy resources. In conclusion, Dr. Chen urged that when discussing the vulnerabilities of migrant workers, we should deeply consider the structural reasons behind this vulnerability and take action to improve their situation. He called on the public to view migrant workers with more empathy and support efforts to improve their health and living conditions.

Implemented by Center for Teaching and Learning Development
Date: 2024/12/04