Taiwan is a democratic country that respects the value of tolerance. Many foreigners can live in Taiwan and receive rights and treatment similar to Taiwanese. One of those rights is to religion. Everyone is free to choose and practice their religion, and no restrictions are imposed on them.
Despite being a minority religion for Taiwanese, Islam is the dominant religion for Indonesians in Taiwan. This is evident in the many organizations or groups that aim to accommodate Muslims, such as PCINU Taiwan — the local branch of Indonesian Islamic organization Nahdlatul Ulaman — and the association of Indonesian Muslims in Taiwan. Most of the organizations were initiated and are run by migrants, the majority of whom are workers.
Last month, Muslims around the world, including in Taiwan, ended Ramadan by celebrating Eid al-Fitr. Much like Lunar New Year, Eid al-Fitr is a significant holiday for Muslims, because it is only held once a year.
On April 22, at least 17 cities across Taiwan held Eid al-Fitr prayers, local Islamic organizations reported. The venues for the prayers were not limited to mosques. Some groups utilized public facilities such as fields, parks, fish markets and train stations.
This year, Muslims were permitted to hold Eid al-Fitr prayers for the first time in the courtyard of Kaohsiung Main Station. In addition to worship, the organizers of the prayers, which were hosted by several Islamic groups, also held additional activities.
The organizers reached out to immigrants to discuss their aspirations. They also invited several important parties, including representatives of the Indonesian Economic and Trade Office to Taipei (IETO), the Protection of Indonesian Citizens, the Kaohsiung office of the National Immigration Agency and the Kaohsiung Civil Affairs Bureau.
In a forum held after prayers, participants discussed issues regarding various issues faced by Indonesian migrants in Taiwan. One of the issues was the right to worship.
Although Taiwan provides freedom of religion, Taiwan has not designated Eid al-Fitr a national holiday. It must be designated, as many Muslim migrant workers have found it difficult to carry out the Eid al-Fitr prayer because of work obligations. Even though contracts usually allow workers the right to worship, many employers do not provide sufficient time off.
Many migrant workers complained about the issue at the forum. A National Immigration Agency representative said that such a situation can be reported.
However, this is not a solution, because if a complaint is made, it could damage the relationship between workers and their employers, which could lead to the termination of their employment.
As two of the parties responsible for addressing migrant issues, IETO and the National Immigration Agency should be more active in monitoring and evaluating workers’ situations. Rather than waiting for workers to report difficulties, the agencies should supervise and advise employers to ensure they comply with regulations. That way, rules can be implemented without damaging relationships between workers and employers.
Apart from representing Indonesia in Taiwan, IETO should fight for the rights of Indonesian migrants. More specifically, in the context of the right to worship, it should not only distribute information to migrants, but also establish direct communication with local agencies, so that migrant workers’ rights can be protected.
In accordance with IETO’s vision of realizing Indonesia-Taiwan economic cooperation that benefits national interests, it should work more comprehensively, such as by directly meeting with Indonesians rather than simply inviting them to an event. It could also submit more suggestions for the Indonesian and Taiwanese governments to deal with problems.
An official is still a worker, and as they work for the public and the nation, they must not only make regulations, but also oversee their continuous implementation. Only through ongoing evaluation and repeated investigation of policies and problems can people’s rights be guaranteed and protected.
Hasan Basri Maulana Firmansyah is a doctoral student majoring in mechanical engineering at National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology. He is a researcher and freelance writer active in social, artistic and cultural activities.
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