Premier Jiang Yi-huah affirmed the Ministry of the Interior's (MOI) "mobile services" program for immigrants after a briefing on it at today's Cabinet meeting and would like to see it expanded.
"How to help new residents smoothly integrate into Taiwanese society and how to protect their rights and interests are important policy issues," the premier said. "Through the 'mobile service' concept, the MOI provides these inhabitants with more accessible and diversified services and allows those living in the countryside to receive the same level of support as those in urban areas. This program is worthy of recognition, and I hope it will be expanded."
According to MOI data, over 480,000 spouses of Taiwanese citizens are from the Chinese mainland or other countries. They are typically referred to as "new residents" or "new immigrants," Jiang pointed out.
"These residents have come far from home to grow in Taiwan. They must adapt to a new environment, and you can imagine their hardships if you put yourself in their shoes and feel the challenges they face," Jiang said.
"Hence, the government has long allocated funds and established measures to support new residents. The fund for foreign spouses has played an especially important role every step of the way."
Premier Jiang asked the Directorate General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics to provide the program with additional funding for future expenses after concluding thorough consideration of the entire national budget.
The Ministry of Education, Council of Agriculture, Council of Labor Affairs, Ministry of Health and Welfare and other related government agencies should actively assist the program as well, he added, and cooperate with the National Immigration Agency to offer more forward-looking and comprehensive care and services for new residents while continuing to protect their rights and interests.