Danielle Alio

Today we visited Father Cuong and his center for the Vietnamese migrant workers just outside of Taipei. It is a shelter that is geared towards helping injured Vietnamese workers win their case against their employers for the compensation they deserve. The Vietnamese like the Filipinos go through the broker system to get work but the Vietnamese pay a much higher fee. Their fee can run as high as $8,000 USD. They, like the Filipinos, also get poor treatment in the work place such as abuse, injury, or sexual harrasment. When they get injured or escape from their job, most try to run away and hide from the brokers because of the high debts.

The center is available to help the Vietnamese receive justice for the wrong doings done to them. Father Cuong himself is from Vietnam but has been black listed since 2005 because his work is viewed as interfering with the system. He has not seen his family since because he can not go back to Vietnam. We were introduced to the Vietnamese who are currently at the shelter and got to hear some of their stories. Their injuries are wide spread but they all have suffered emotional and mental trauma because of their work experiences.  It is heart breaking because the main goal of the Vietnamese workers is to eventually go back to Vietnam to be with their families and perhaps start their own businesses with the money made from working in Taiwan.

One man that we met was only working for a few months when one day his employer forced him to do extra work on the roof of the factory. This man, not trained in any of the employer’s work, fell from the roof and did a great deal of damage to his body especially his internal organs and his head. He lost most of his memory and is just starting to walk again. He told us that he feels guilty because his parents sacrificed a lot for his education growing up. He studied English and Russian and now can not remember any of his schooling. Father Cuong is doing an amazing job helping this man. He has set up physical therapy exercises at the center and he pushes him to walk without the use of canes. The relationships that Father Cuong has with the Vietnamese workers is built on a trust and gratitude that are indescribable.

Another man that we met lost his arm and another injured his hand and lost all mobility. These young men (only in their early 20s) are having a hard time dealing with the fact that they can no longer work. The Vietnamese culture is very family oriented and it is the job of the children to eventually work and support their parents and families of their own. They feel as though they are now worthless because they can no longer contribute. It is very heart breaking to see that a human being views him or herself as worthless.

There was one woman we met at the shelter who was sexually enslaved by her employer. One day she finally escaped and found the center. It was amazing how she was able to open up to us and share her story despite what she went through. It was clear that she had been raped repeatedly and treated as an object by her employer.

I was amazed at how the Vietnamese trusted us almost right away. Despite what they went through they are full of hope for their cases and are determined to return to their country and make better lives for themselves and their families. The Vietnamese and the Filipinos who I have met along this journey are some of the friendliest people I know. They are going through many hardships in life but they continue to stay positive and welcoming to all. They are an inspiration to me and everyone whose lives they touch.