Taipei, Nov. 18 (CNA) More than 90 percent of voters in a mock referendum on three key issues facing foreign workers supported changing the current system governing migrant workers, according to the latest results which were revealed on Saturday.
According to the Migrants Empowerment Network in Taiwan (MENT), the organizer of the mock referendum, a total of 8,207 votes had been cast as of Nov. 12 since voting began at 15 designated voting locations across Taiwan on Sept. 17.
Anyone interested is invited to vote on three issues: whether migrant caregivers should be protected under the Labor Standards Act; whether foreign workers should be able to change employers freely; and whether the government should get rid of the private employment brokerage system.
As of Saturday, the fourth opening of the ballot boxes indicated there were 8,141 votes in favor of protecting migrant caregivers under the Labor Standards Act, 10 against and 56 invalid.
On the topic of changing employers, 8,122 were in favor of letting migrant workers change employers freely, while 47 votes were cast in opposition and 38 were invalid.
Lastly, 8,130 votes were in favor of the government abolishing the private brokerage system, 36 against and 41 invalid.
According to MENT coordinator Hsu Chun-huai (許淳淮), the number of votes continues to increase and he hopes the 10,000-mark will be reached the next time the ballot boxes are opened in two weeks.
Voting for the mock referendum will continue until Dec. 10, with the final results being announced at a migrant workers parade scheduled for Dec. 17.
