This means that according to Australia immigration Malaysia is NOT a native English speaking country. I know it seems like I have singled out Malaysia but you can see a common theme there. JUST because a country says English is AN official language doesn’t mean everyone speaks it or speaks it well at all.
In the Philippines where my partner is from… very few people in her town speak any English at all and English is actually being wiped from the curriculum! - To call people there “native English speaking” because they hold Philippine passports nonsensical.
I spoke to a lawyer on this asking about discrimination and he explained. "Taiwan discrimination laws are very weak to begin with so although it ‘may’ be considered discrimination in a western country… it is not considered discrimination in Taiwan unless they specify they want a ‘white’ teacher for example. Or don’t want teacher from xxx "
Right but they will have to be university graduates.
I don’t overthink it personally, Taiwan’s Immigration Act prohibits discrimination based on national origin. Excluding people arbitrarily on the basis of their national origin, when they actually qualify on that basis, is discrimination.
Tbh i have met many philipinos who work as english teacher here officially. Even more now because of bilingual program . There are other countries which have like zero chance
Does it suck that they only want native? Sure
But its more complicated because it doesnt include that parents wants their children to have a teacher with “white skin” so schools who maybe are okay hiring non natives, have to give up to parents demands.
I know the part you are referring to. It is a bit more nuanced than how it is written. It basically means you can “petition” but in this case they have a “reason” so to speak. The reason can literally be anything
There’s a principle that special qualities needed to perform a certain job take precedence. Which is fair and appropriate. But the text of the Immigration Act is black and white. Knowing nothing else, blanket exclusion of people on the basis of national origin is discrimination.
At least they got the country names right. I’m impressed.
And it’s so random that South Africa is listed alongside the rich countries. I feel like many Taiwanese people’s perception of SA is stuck in the 70s when in reality it’s just as fucked as other countries in Africa.
Yes! I agree. But in the Taiwan legal system this is allowed. They can set specific requirements and say it is to “reduce the number of applicants applying that don’t qualify” and immigration will say “all good” - Unless they single out a specific nationality specifically (unless it is sanctioned like the banks are with Iran)
This is directly from a Taiwanese lawyer and refers to previous case law. You will also see it reflected in the dealings @Mataiou is having at the moment too.
The word of the law just says you can “petition” but doesn’t specify what is considered discrimination.
Yes, I have linked it a lot too. I was among one of the first.
Article 62
Any person shall not discriminate against people residing in the Taiwan Area on the basis of nationality, race, color, class and place of birth. Any person whose rights are trespassed due to the discrimination mentioned in the preceding Paragraph can file a complaint to the competent authorities on the basis of the situations of the trespass, unless the matter is regulated by other laws otherwise. The competent authorities shall enact regulations that govern items, requirements for filing a complaint mentioned in the preceding Paragraph, complaint procedures and the composition of a review committee.
Again, if they said for example “no blacks” or “whites only” or “no Mexicans” then that would be considered discrimination in the eyes of Taiwan’s laws. Saying: * Australia.
Canada.
Ireland.
New Zealand.
South Africa.
The United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland)
the United States.
You are more than welcome to file a complaint and have them spell it out.
