Officials say health of foreign workers deteriorating

Officials say health of foreign workers deteriorating: "According to the Taipei City's Foreign Labor Service Center, so far in 2006, approximately 32 percent of the foreign workers in the city have sought psychological or counseling services. The figure is a sharp rise from that of 7 percent in 2004. Meanwhile, more foreign workers are complaining of chest pains, dizziness, high blood pressure, chronic fatigue, and deteriorating vision.

According to the Foreign Labor Service Center, the majority of the foreign workers in Taipei City work as care givers for the elderly or small children. Many of these workers work long hours and have very little time for a social life. Worse, many foreign workers are exploited in terms of working conditions. For example, some workers are forced to work overtime and only allowed one day off per month."