The National Immigration Agency (NIA) yesterday began to accept applications from non-profit organizations (NGOs) and foundation-like legal entities to function as marriage brokers, but some NGOs worry the policy could end up creating a black market in foreign brides.
According to an amendment to the Immigration Act (出入國及移民法) last August, all marriage broker companies must become non-profit organizations or funded legal entities by August in order to continue in business. NGOs are prohibited from engaging in any profit-making activities, such as signing contracts or demanding commission fees. Violators will be fined NT$10,000 to NT$100,000.
Father Peter Nguyen, the founder and director of the Vietnamese Migrant Workers and Brides Office in Hsinchu, deemed the policy “inappropriate” and counterproductive.
“The purpose of NGOs is to do what the government cannot do, not what businesses cannot do. Besides, how does the government expect companies to survive if they cannot make any money,” he said, worrying the lack of incentive might drive businesses into the black market which would only further erode Taiwan’s human trafficking situation.
“I am quite puzzled why the government chose to take the NGO route. Is it because crooked NGOs are easier to nab? Where is the logic behind the policy?” Nguyen asked.
A professional match-making company owner who asked to be identified as Ah-hsing (阿星) said business will definitely be affected adversely by the new policy.
“What can I say? All we can do it is abide by the law,” he said, refusing to elaborate how he plans make money after his company becomes a non-profit group.
Ah-hsing’s company Web site contains over 300 pictures of available girls along with their biographies The company charges anywhere from NT$120,000 to NT$220,000 for each transaction, according to the site.
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