For migrant workers in Taiwan, Beijing attack threat poses daunting challenges

Nearly 1 million foreign residents risk being stranded in any cross-Strait conflict, with few rescue plans in place

Gilda Banugan of Davao City in the Philippines has worked for over a decade as a housekeeper in Taiwan.

While the money is much better than she could earn at home, it carries a cost: the knowledge that she is living in one of the world’s most dangerous flashpoints, facing the looming threat of an attack by mainland forces.

“If you ask many Filipino migrant workers, in case something happened are they going back to the Philippines or not, most likely the answer is no, they want to stay put in Taiwan,” said Banugan, 41. “Because, how can we survive even if they tried to rescue us?”

Your personal data will be processed and information from your device (cookies, unique identifiers, and other device data) may be stored by, accessed by and shared with 88 TCF vendor(s) and 21 ad partner(s), or used specifically by this site or app.

For migrant workers in Taiwan, Beijing attack threat poses daunting challenges

Related reading

In Taiwan, migrants flee oppressive workplaces for life on the periphery

Filipinos in Israel caught between duty and fear as Iran conflict escalates

Taiwan faces ‘dangerous possibility’ as it relies on Qatar and others for energy

Is Hong Kong beating Singapore, Taiwan in attracting foreign domestic helpers?

Mainland China IDs may mean loss of job, Taiwanese status, Taipei warns public

Editorial | Hong Kong must stay vigilant against illegal work schemes