Premier Mao Chi-kuo today presided over the first meeting of the Executive Yuan's new immigrants affairs coordination task force.
To align with pragmatic operations, the Management of Assistance Fund for Foreign Spouses will be renamed the "New Immigrants Development Fund" while maintaining its original funding scale of NT$1 billion (US$31.91 million) annually, Mao stated at the meeting.
Moreover, in order to proactively promote various training programs and help new immigrants acquire related information, the government will set up an information website for new immigrants training along with other related services.
The premier stated that new immigrants affairs encompasses a wide scope, including helping immigrants adjust to life in Taiwan, educate their children, live with their spouses' family members, find employment, empower the second generation, and learn their mother tongues, as well as the government's efforts in promoting a pluralistic culture nationwide and turning around the public's negative impression of new immigrants. These tasks require the collaboration of various ministries and agencies, local governments and non-governmental organizations.
The premier expects the various ministries and agencies to proactively promote new immigrants affairs and related tasks via a model of public-private collaboration in order to make new immigrants feel welcome in Taiwan and engender a friendly and pluralistic society where new immigrants are treasured.
The premier agreed to rename the Management of Assistance Fund for Foreign Spouses as the "New Immigrants Development Fund" in order to encompass all first- and second-generation immigrants, Mao said. Its annual funding size of NT$1 billion (US$31.91 million) will remain the same.
As for empowerment programs for new immigrants and their second generation, the premier stated that the Ministry of the Interior will set up a universal website portal, and related services should also be established in places where new immigrants are concentrated.
Regarding teaching of immigrants' mother tongues, the premier stated that taking reference to Hakka and aboriginal language education, they could be incorporated into the elementary school curriculum and competent language teachers would be recruited so that the second-generation immigrants will possess language advantages in future employment.
As for recognizing new immigrants' academic credentials, the premier stated that a special task force will be set up to study the issue. Credentials will first be sorted into categories according to their characteristics and functions based on nationality and area, recognition of academic degrees in various levels, and the actual demands of the job market for different academic credentials and capabilities. Principles and guidelines as well as relevant substitute measures will then be established so that local governments will have a standard to follow.
The Executive Yuan stated that the organic rules for the establishment of the new immigrants affairs coordination task force was approved and promulgated June 16 this year. With the implementation of these rules, the nation has taken a big stride forward in promoting a pluralistic culture and engendering an internationally friendly environment. The Executive Yuan will conduct rolling reviews, with relevant ministries and agencies continuing to proactively safeguard new immigrants' rights and interests while working hand in hand for a friendly and peaceful society.