Stop stereotyping migrant workers

When I first arrived in Taoyuan’s Jhongli District (中壢) for university, I was struck by the scene outside the front entrance of the main railway station. The streets were lined with signs in Vietnamese, Indonesian and Thai, and authentic Southeast Asian eateries and grocery stores stood alongside a number of jewelry stores. On weekends, migrant workers would gather there to shop and spend time with friends. It was the first time I had witnessed how deeply foreign cultures could shape a place.

When talking about migrant workers with classmates and friends, many mention liking the different cuisines and recognize how they help to fill labor shortages in Taiwan’s factories and the long-term care sector. Others have reservations. They might see migrant workers on their days off, well-dressed and out dining with friends or browsing gold shops for small pieces of jewelry, and remark with a hint of resentment that “they seem to be quite comfortable, even more willing to spend than we are.”

This apparent contradiction often stems from a lack of understanding of each other’s actual living costs. Some young Taiwanese and lower-wage workers assume that migrant workers do not have to struggle with rent and food costs, yet those who do save on accommodation deal with crowded dormitories, a lack of privacy and, in some cases, having to remain on call even after clocking off.

Many migrant workers come to Taiwan because of a lack of decent employment opportunities at home. The wages they send back might have greater purchasing power in their home countries, but the price they pay is years spent away from their families. Days off are hard to come by, and gathering to enjoy a meal from home, buying gold pieces that are sure to hold value, or simply enjoying a moment’s respite can offer relief from the pressures of work.

Perceptions of migrant workers swing wildly between seeing them either as pitiful or as somehow gaming the system. Walking through Jhongli and seeing how migrant workers actually live, however, one simply sees working people doing their best to make ends meet. They deserve not our stereotypes, but to be treated as equals.