歡迎光臨高雄市新聞局

New Immigrants in Kaohsiung
◎English written by Lin Yi-chun
◎Photos courtesy of New Immigration Family Center

　Signboards with foreign writing, food made with fragrant spices, boutique shops with exotic merchandise all reflect the modern acceptance of multiculturalism and the influence of new immigrants in Kaohsiung. The population of foreign spouses is now over twenty thousand, the largest group (over half of the foreign spouses in Kaohsiung) being from China. The second largest demographic of foreign spouses come from Vietnam. These multi-cultural groups have infused a new spirit and vibrancy in Kaohsiung.
　To provide greater support for new immigrants, Kaohsiung City Government launched the Care and Assistance for Immigrant Spouses program in 2005. This was a multi-bureau endeavor with contributions from the Civil Affairs, Education, Health and Social Welfare Bureaus. The goal was to provide assistance, culture, language and vocational training programs, medical subsidies, employment services and other related resources to assist with the integration of foreign spouses.
　At the New Immigration Family Center, people chat in different languages and read foreign and local magazines. The center offers strong support for new immigrants. It also supplies them with resources, assistance and information leaflets, published in six languages. There are seven community service stations, in the Nanzih, Siaogang, Sanmin, Cianjhen, Lingya, and Zouying Districts which allow immigrants to seek the support and care they need within their own neighborhoods. The center also provides home visits, financial subsidies and organizes cultural and festival activities. The issue of employment is also of great importance to the immigrants. Therefore, the Labor Bureau provides vocational training programs and employment services. If any vocational training requires a special certification, the bureau also assists in obtaining these certificates.
　Tseng Huan-cyong, originally from Vietnam, married into a Taiwanese family and has been living in Kaohsiung for fourteen years. She began her involvement with the Overseas Vietnamese Sisterhood Association when she herself was finding it hard to adjust. She now chairs the organization and credits her inquisitive personality for this progress. The service center also provides companionship for Tseng and other Vietnamese women like her. She believes what is needed the most is for the government to provide a more consolidated service and hopes the people of Kaohsiung will treat these new immigrants with empathy. She also hopes the government will take greater steps in investigating employment issues such as salary payment and poor treatment on the job.
　Based on personal experience, Huan-cyong encourages the foreign spouses' whole family to participate in the center's activities. This builds trusting relationships and promotes a more harmonious coexistence. She says after her mother-in-law attended an activity held by the center, she has shown a greater interest in foreign culture and immigrant issues. She has since participated in similar activities and often shares her experiences with her friends afterwards. Huan-cyong feels if in-laws participate in cultural events, it will help promote communication and better understanding of new immigrants. The center helps build trust within families and provides opportunities for networking.

新移民在高雄
◎文／王大衛
◎照片提供／新移民家庭服務中心

　豆芽菜文字的招牌酸辣香氣的料理，及鋪滿個色薰香的服飾店等，在在反映了人們對於異國多元文化的接納與喜愛，新移民的影響力不言可喻。高雄市新移民人數已超過２萬人，其中，超過半數的中國籍配偶為第一大族群，其次為越南籍配偶。多元的族群為城市注入新氛圍，也讓城市更有活力。
　為了提供新移民更完善的照顧，高雄市政府於2005年推動「外籍與大陸配偶照顧輔導專案」，結合民政局、教育局、衛生局、社會局等局處，規劃外籍與大陸配偶生活適應輔導班、語言學習班、醫療補助款、訓練和就業服務以及其他服務。
　踏進社會局「新移民家庭服務中心」，摻雜各種語言的閒話家常，及書架上聊慰鄉愁的中外雜誌，不難看出中心是新移民溫馨的依靠，扮演資源統合重要的一環。中心提供6種語言的簡介文宣，７個社區服務據點，遍及楠梓區、小港區、三民區、前鎮區、苓雅區和左營區等地方，讓新住民能就近到住家附近的服務站獲得所需的支援和照顧，此外，透過訪視、補助以及重大節日舉辦活動等，幫助新移民朋友適應本地的生活。
　而備受新移民重視的就業問題，勞工局提供訓練和就業這兩大類服務，值得一提的是新移民所受的職業訓練項目如果有需要取得證照之工作，勞工局也會輔導取得相關證照。
　來自越南的岑歡瓊嫁到高雄已有14年之久，從剛開始的不適應，到現在擔任越南同鄉會的會長，歡瓊笑說，這都是「雞婆」個性使然，她為姐妹們提供的服務就是「陪伴」。歡瓊表示，新移民最需要政府提供「單一窗口」的服務，她希望大家能以同理心對待遠嫁到台灣的新移民(外籍配偶)，而對於新移民求職時，遭遇到同工不同酬的差別待遇，她呼籲政府應主動檢查，杜絕類似事件發生。
　歡瓊以自身的經驗表示，透過家庭共同參與，新移民活動能讓彼此建立信任，相處更加融洽。歡瓊說，她婆婆在參加過一次新移民舉辦的活動之後，開始對異國文化有著濃厚的興趣，日後對於參與相關的活動展現高度的熱忱，還會主動詢問活動訊息，回來後，婆婆還會樂此不疲地與朋友分享參加的經驗。因此歡瓊建議，舉辦活動時，鼓勵新移民的夫家一同參與活動，促使新移民的家庭互動、交流，進而建立信任感，也能拓展新移民的人際網絡。