One-Forty

One-Forty’s program is designed to support Southeast Asian migrant workers in Taiwan, a group that faces numerous challenges including limited career advancement opportunities and social integration issues. The initiative targets these workers by offering comprehensive educational and skill development services aimed at improving their quality of life both in Taiwan and upon their return to their home countries.

The primary beneficiaries of the program are Southeast Asian migrant workers currently residing in Taiwan. With over 800,000 such workers seeking better opportunities to support their families, the services are tailored to address their specific needs. These workers often engage in labor-intensive jobs that provide minimal transferable skills and lower wages compared to their Taiwanese counterparts. Many aspire to improve their financial stability by starting small businesses but lack essential knowledge in business management, which hampers their success. Additionally, these workers frequently encounter cultural barriers and biases, making their adaptation to Taiwanese society more challenging.

The Migrant Learning Network Program

One-Forty has established an online and offline learning community specifically designed for Southeast Asian migrants in Taiwan. Field visits are conducted every year in both Taiwan and Southeast Asia to map out the needs. Specially designed financial management and entrepreneurship programs are provided, as well as courses focusing on developing key competencies for employment. The main goal of financial management and entrepreneurship programs is to support migrant workers to clarify their financial goals and learn to plan expenses, establishing good saving habits. Meanwhile, entrepreneurship programs guide migrant workers who want to start a small business with the right mindset and knowledge in order to lower the risk of failure in the future. Additionally, there are workshops for various skills, such as language and computer courses. Mandarin courses aim to assist migrant workers in getting language certification recognized by the government, which leads to more job options back home since many Taiwanese companies in Southeast Asia need bilingual employees. There are also several interactive activities to encourage students to express and explore their potential in order to be more prepared for the future job market.

DEI Public Advocacy Program

One-Forty’s commitment to public advocacy stems from the prevalent negative portrayal of migrant workers in mainstream media. To challenge these stereotypes, they have developed an empowerment approach based on Photovoice, a framework established by scholars Wang and Burris (1997). One-Forty has created the “Voice of Migrant” initiative tailored specifically for Southeast Asian migrant workers in Taiwan. Each year, they organize a photography competition for migrant workers, showcasing selected works in both online and physical exhibitions. This initiative allows the public to view migrant workers beyond their roles as laborers, highlighting their diverse experiences and personal stories. Moreover, they facilitate regular cultural exchange events to bridge gaps between migrant workers and the local Taiwanese community. These events, which include exhibitions, concerts, and interactive sessions, provide opportunities for mutual understanding and empathy. They have organized over 200 such events, engaging more than 200,000 Taiwanese participants, thereby promoting a more inclusive and harmonious society.

Success Stories

The programs have enabled more than 500 alumni to return home and successfully start small businesses. For instance, Adi now runs a ranch with 150 goats and plans to expand to 600. Evi has opened a restaurant, using the skills she acquired to overcome future challenges. Additionally, over five alumni have found stable employment in Taiwanese companies back home, with salaries significantly higher than the average. Yani and Yusni, for example, work as translators and earn $700 a month, three times the typical wage.