Jobs Registry Project

CommuNity

The Jobs Registry Project TExT: KATHY VAn WILGEnBuRG

T

aipei has so many exciting opportunities for expats.

Most people can be as busy they want, and still wish they had more time for all of the cool activities available. It’s comforting to find reasonably priced help with the household, cooking and kids. However, finding an Englishspeaking person to employ is not easy. It’s also confusing to try to determine whether or not the person hired has legal working status. This is a risk many do not wish to take, as it can compromise their own working visa, or that of a family member. Businesses also run a risk in regard to their business license.

THE LANGUAGE BARRIER Having lived here in Taipei for eleven months, my solution was to hire a Taiwanese cleaning agency.

These folks are top notch. They come equipped with their own cleaning equipment and chemicals.

The employees are well trained.

They are on time and reasonably priced. They are super nice and

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do a good job. There is just one problem: I can’t talk to them. I can’t even talk to the supervisors or the management without a translator, and I had to sign a contract written completely in Chinese. There has to be a better way.

FILLING A GAP It turns out that there is a better way, one that has been time-tested for many years in Manila by the American Women’s Club of the Philippines. They operate a jobs registry out of the Holy Trinity Church. The registry is an online messaging board where members can post information on domestic help with their references. The system ensures the best employees with the best references always have work in their organization.

Their example was the inspiration f o r t h e J o b s R e g i s t r y P r o j e c t, sponsored as a ministry of the Taipei International Church (TIC). This project is supported by the Tagalog F e l l o w s h i p (m i n i s t e r i n g t o t h e Filipino community) and executed by

the Gateway Women’s Ministry, both of TIC. It is fully in line with the organization charter of the church by ministering to both English-speaking labor and employers.

The purpose of this outreach is to fill a gap in the English-speaking community. It is free, and is fully supported by an expat attorney who believes in this effort and donates his time.

CONNECTING ENGLISHSPEAKING LABOR WITH JOBS The project seeks to connect labor and jobs in the areas of domestic helpers, elderly care givers, food and beverage, factory, and construction.

It doesn’t seek to help those where existing employment agencies already h a v e p r o g r a m s. F o r e x a m p l e, there are existing agencies for English speakers with high levels of education or special skills. There are agencies that place full-time Amahs from other countries to live in the homes of employers. This service utilizes the existing labor market in Taiwan.

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Why is there a need for this service? Many potential employees lack the language skills most critical in this city (Mandarin Chinese or Taiwanese). They often lack access to computers or lack computer skills to develop a one-page resume or search online job boards. For individual expat employers, there is quite some confusion around the legalities of hiring English speakers.

ApplicAtion How does the program work?

For job seekers, they should come to the church office and fill out an application. After doing so, we can translate that application into a resume with a photo. They must provide proof of their legal working status by producing a permanent legal residency card, or an ARC card with a passport. Those who are not permanent residents will need to produce a marriage certificate to a Taiwanese national. If you

have an ARC card with no marriage certificate, do not fear. A good employer may sponsor you with a work permit.

F o r p o t e n t i a l e m p l o y e r s, w e ask that you register yourself or your company with a very short form. This registry is developed to ensure the privacy of the employees’ resumes, to which you will have access. After you have registered, we can forward a selection of resumes with proof of residency and right to work (or state that they need a work permit) to your email address. We will not check references since we are not an employment agency. However, church members may receive moral references from church leaders.

The jobs registry has been granted a six-month trial period to examine the needs of the community. Should we find this is a service that both employees and employers want, it will continue forward. It would be our pleasure to receive your

feedback. Our plan for the future is to grow with an online database if/ when there is critical mass.

For more information, visit our website: http://jobsregistrytaipei. blogspot.com, or send an email to jobsregistrytaipei@gmail.com. Visit the TIC website (www.taipeichurch. org) for directions to the church office.

Originally from Augusta, GA in the US Kathy relocated here from Switzerland . She i s a n a c t i v e m e m b e r of Ta i pe i International Church and enjoys marrying both her former business life and now her social awareness life in the form of the Jobs Registry Project. She has fallen in love with Taiwan, in particular the welcoming people and the beautiful geography.

The Center's Favorite Finds treasure Hunt Flea Market recommended by monica hess

V-Shop recommended by neev exley

In search of some delicious chocolate, and enjoy a supporting a great cause? Then visit V-Shop. They sell biscuits and edibles in various flavors like chocolate, peanut and sesame. V-shop is partnered with the Garden of Hope (GOH), an organisation which is striving to help end sexual violence. The GOH provides employment to women who have needed their support and also trains them in a variety of work-related fields such as bead work or chocolate making. V-Shop is unique and also somewhere you can enjoy a cup of coffee or juice whilst finding some unique gifts.

1F, 2-1 Shunan St., Xindian, New Taipei City Tel: 02-8911-8595 Transport: Nearest MRT station: Dapinglin

If you like Asian antiques and the idea of uncovering a hidden treasure in your own backyard, then you'll love the Treasure Hunt Flea Market. Imagine wandering through room after room, opening boxes, peering into cases and looking on shelves, viewing pieces of history. Looking for a pottery bowl? Some colorful chairs? A kimono? A dragon with gleaming orange eyes? Artwork for a wall in your home? I dare you NOT to find something in this treasure trove of ephemera. Don't let the humble exterior fool you. Once inside, past the front desk and friendly staff (who speak English) you could lose yourself for hours in the many nooks and crannies on two floors spread over what seems like a city block. The prices are clearly marked (and usually not subject to negotiation, but I had to try).

Like its name implies, the Treasure Hunt Flea Market is not an upscale antique store. This is where in-the-know shoppers come to find bargains; items from decades long past, once lovingly used and then ‘recycled’, waiting to be discovered by you.

38, Roosevelt Rd., Sec. 2 (at the intersection of Heping and Roosevelt Roads).

Tel: 02-2391-2100.

Transport: Nearest MRT: Guting (exit towards Heping Road, Cross Roosevelt Road and look for a green and yellow building). www.communitycenter.org.tw march 2012

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