As the challenges faced by Hong Kong migrants in Taiwan continue, there is a new development for Hong Kong residents seeking permanent residency in Canada. Canada has announced that it will grant work permits to Hong Kong permanent residency applicants, allowing them to stay in the country while awaiting a decision on their applications. The new policy, set to launch on May 27, will provide Hong Kong applicants with an open work permit, which will allow them to extend their stay in Canada and work for most employers while their applications are being processed. This move comes as part of Canada's 'lifeboat' immigration scheme, which was introduced in February 2021 to provide pathways for Hongkongers to obtain permanent residence [f709eb04].
This new policy from Canada offers a potential solution for Hong Kong residents who are facing difficulties and frustrations in Taiwan. Many Hong Kong migrants in Taiwan have been struggling with the challenges of obtaining permanent residency and cultural differences. The highly regulated economic system and lack of a well-established rule of law in Taiwan have been sources of frustration for Hong Kongers. The new work permit policy in Canada may provide an alternative for those seeking a better future and more opportunities abroad [3e4a6916].
In addition to the challenges faced by Hong Kong migrants in Taiwan, there are also concerns about the flaws in Taiwan's labor migration system. The high number of registered and undocumented migrant workers in Taiwan, along with the lack of genuine reforms by the presidential candidates, has been a cause for concern. The proposed Taiwan-India migration corridor has been mentioned, but none of the candidates have shown the courage to address the fundamental flaws in the labor recruitment system. The article emphasizes the need for genuine reforms and a cross-party consensus on labor migration [81cba913].
As the presidential election in Taiwan approaches, Hong Kong immigrants in Taiwan are expressing their hopes for greater support from the incoming administration of the independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). They are optimistic about positive changes under the DPP and hope for easier immigration processes, a stronger economy, and support in resisting China. The immigrants also emphasize the importance of Taiwan becoming less dependent on China and believe that the DPP is capable of protecting Taiwan's democracy and freedom. They hope that the new government will educate young people about the differences between free and autocratic regimes. Overall, the Hong Kong immigrants in Taiwan see the upcoming election as an opportunity for Taiwan to strengthen its autonomy and democratic values [719644f1].
The development of democratic identities in Hong Kong and Taiwan is also an important aspect to consider. Research shows that there is a growing identification with and confidence in being exclusively Taiwanese or Hong Konger, as well as increasing public support for democracy. People in Taiwan and Hong Kong integrate democratic expectations with their sense of identification and locality. They see principles associated with democracy as closely tied to their identities. However, Hong Kongers and Taiwanese identify more with democracy than with nativism or exceptionalism. The article suggests that attempts by the People's Republic of China (PRC) to appeal to local concerns in Taiwan and Hong Kong need to respect democratic aspirations or face continued tensions and resistance [c8065767].
The BN(O) scheme, which was seen as an escape route for Hongkongers from 'tyranny,' has become a trap for thousands who can't make ends meet in the UK. The former prime minister Boris Johnson and ex-Hong Kong governor Chris Patten are criticized for their role in promoting the scheme. Many BN(O) migrants are disappointed with British life and face challenges in securing permanent residency. The UK and many Western economies offer fewer job opportunities and career openings. Only half of BN(O)ers aged between 25 and 64 are employed, and only one in three are working full-time. The relative ease of finding jobs in Hong Kong doesn't apply in the UK or Canada. Some 201,877 BN(O) visas were approved as of March, but only 144,400 people showed up in the UK. Realistic accounts of hardship have surfaced about isolation, mental health issues, unemployment, discrimination, high costs of living, crime, and homelessness. Many BN(O)ers may return to Hong Kong once they obtain British passports. The UK economy is expected to worsen with higher inflation and taxes. Economic freedom is seen as the most important freedom, and if one can't make ends meet, other freedoms are less attractive or irrelevant [146a6ab6].
As China tightens its control over Hong Kong, residents are permanently relocating to the UK, leaving their retirement money trapped behind in Hong Kong's pension system. Hong Kongers who emigrate using a British National (Overseas) passport cannot access their savings in the Mandatory Provident Fund before the retirement age of 65. Emigration has increased after the passing of Article 23, a domestic security law, prompting more people to leave Hong Kong and seek early withdrawals from their pension funds. The BN(O) passport, which grants the right to move to the UK, has been used by over 140,000 people since it was expanded in 2021. The UK government has seen a doubling of applications for BN(O) passports in the first quarter of 2024. The Hong Kong government has referred inquiries to the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority. The inability to access pension funds has had financial impacts on those who have left Hong Kong, including a woman with thousands of dollars trapped in her pension fund and a man unable to access his nest egg of over $60,000. The Hong Kong stock market's decline has also raised concerns for those with pension funds heavily invested in it. HSBC and Manulife, two major financial institutions, have denied access to pension funds for those who have emigrated using BN(O) passports. The denial of access to retirement savings has been estimated to be over $3.8 billion since 2021. The situation has prompted criticism of the Hong Kong government for blocking access to funds needed to start a new life [8c255513].