Migrant Workers’ Illegal Side Jobs! Underground Doctors Use Rusty Pliers for Tooth Extraction and Perform Double Eyelid Surgery
Runaway migrant workers resort to illegal activities to earn more money, often disregarding others' safety. For instance, a Vietnamese woman promoted her orthodontic, teeth whitening, and rhinoplasty services on social media, attracting numerous customers. After months of investigation, the Immigration Bureau seized a large amount of medical equipment, including rusty pliers used for tooth extractions. In another case, a runaway migrant worker in Taichung learned to read construction blueprints and organized fellow workers into a team to take on construction projects. When arrested, they were found carrying NT$100,000, intended for daily wage payments.
On December 20, 2023, authorities reported that medical equipment included cosmetic injectables used for breast enhancements and other treatments. A Vietnamese woman, initially a factory worker, became an underground aesthetic practitioner, even recording promotional videos of herself. She performed procedures like double eyelid surgery, breast augmentation, and rhinoplasty using equipment purchased online.
Deputy Captain Tang Yutai of the Taichung Immigration Special Task Force stated, "The worker conducted various cosmetic surgeries, including double eyelid operations, lip shaping, hyaluronic acid injections, breast and buttock enhancements, and rhinoplasty."
Such activities earned illegal migrant workers millions, but they were ultimately arrested.
In another incident, a 42-year-old runaway worker in Daya, Taichung, was surrounded by immigration officers. Formerly a technician in Yunlin, he saw the profits of construction work, taught himself blueprint reading, and led a team of fellow migrants to take construction jobs. He was arrested with NT$100,000, intended to pay wages for the day.
Additionally, an Indonesian migrant worker performed tooth extractions on weekends using rusty tools, earning an extra NT$30,000 monthly. While these workers went to great lengths to increase their income, their illegal activities ultimately led to deportation.
