A Mother's Tough Choice: Working Abroad for a Better Life

In a small village in the Philippines, Marian Duhapa, a 32-year-old mother, faces a heartbreaking decision. She must leave her baby daughter Quinn behind to work in Taiwan.

A Necessary Choice

This is not an easy choice, but it is necessary. Marian needs to support her family of 11. Life in the Philippines is tough. Every expense is a struggle. Even with a job, the money is not enough.

The Allure of Taiwan

Taiwan is a popular destination for Filipino workers. Over 150,000 Filipinos work there, mostly in factories or as caregivers. They take on jobs that many Taiwanese people do not want. This is because Taiwan has a low birth rate. There are many elderly people who need care.

Marian earns around $900 a month in Taiwan. This is three times what she could earn in the Philippines.

The Struggles of Migrant Workers

However, working abroad is not easy. Marian lost her job when she became pregnant. She had to live in a shelter until she gave birth.

Many people believe that Taiwan needs to do more to protect migrant workers. They argue that workers should have the right to bring their families with them.

Lennon Wang from the Serve the People Association says that migrant workers are often treated poorly. He believes that Taiwan should recognize them as fully human beings.

Steps Towards Improvement

The Taiwanese government has taken some steps to improve conditions. They have issued guidelines to protect female migrant workers and their children. However, many people still feel that more needs to be done.

Some workers choose to return home to have their babies. This is because the environment in Taiwan is different from their home countries. The language and culture can be difficult to adjust to.

A Sister's Experience

Marian's eldest sister, Loriza, worked as a domestic helper in Dubai for seven years. She said the conditions were very hard. She had little time to rest. Every day, she worked without a break.

Now, she is back home in the Philippines. She can rest and be with her family.

A Mother's Sacrifice

Marian misses her daughter very much. She knows it will be several years before she can see her again. But she believes it is worth it. She wants to give her family a better life.