The Serve the People Association has long shared stories of migrant mothers in shelters, yet some netizens still cannot understand why these migrant workers choose to give birth in Taiwan. There are even misconceptions that they seek medical resources or are afraid to return home to have children whose fathers are unknown.
In reality, these women pay for health insurance legally during their employment, so there is no issue of "exploiting" medical resources. Moreover, domestic caregivers are not covered by labor laws in Taiwan and do not receive maternity benefits. Giving birth in a foreign country means facing the challenges of language barriers and being away from family, which is a tremendous physical and emotional burden. If it weren't for the heavy financial pressure, most pregnant women would prefer to return home to rest and be cared for by their families.
Mira is one such migrant mother who bears the financial burden for her entire family. She remarried two years ago and left her first child with her parents back home. She sends money to Indonesia every month. When she unexpectedly became pregnant with her current husband, her first thought was, "If I return home and lose my job, who will support the family?"
Thankfully, with our help, Mira was able to stay at the shelter after ending her contract with her previous employer. This allowed her to wait for her delivery and continue working afterward, avoiding the predicament of unemployment upon returning home. However, she faced immense psychological pressure during her stay. Near her due date, she experienced severe bleeding, and we discovered that her mother back home was seriously ill and needed substantial medical expenses.
Fortunately, Mira gave birth safely, and her mother's condition stabilized. Now, Mira holds her healthy and adorable baby, but when she recalls the emotional turmoil during her pregnancy, she still cries. "I was so afraid I wouldn't see my mother one last time. But if I had returned to Indonesia, who would send money for her treatment?"
Mira's tears reflect the dilemma many migrant workers face. Choosing to give birth in Taiwan often stems from the necessity of continuing to earn money abroad due to financial pressures. Our shelter aims to fully support and assist these women, providing them with a safe environment for childbirth and ensuring their babies grow up healthy.
Currently, Mira is still interviewing for new jobs, but she is grateful she persevered through the psychological stress of staying in Taiwan. With her mother's illness and the substantial costs of baby formula and diapers, she couldn't afford to go back home. We will continue to assist Mira in finding a new employer so she can quickly return to work and continue supporting her family.