The American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) recently published the Taiwan 2013 International Religious Freedom Report that was based on data accumulated over the past year. At the center of the debate regarding religious freedom are the lack of labor laws that would guarantee domestic service workers and caretakers a day off.  

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A demography survey, legal policy analysis and review of government practices were also part of the report which examined specific trends in Taiwan's society.

Faith-based organizations, along with AIT representatives, met frequently with faith-based social service programs that are making a collaborative effort to promote religious freedom.

This day off would be their opportunity to participate in religious services, but critics claim that it is impossible for this segment of society to enjoy the same religious freedom as others that do not have the same type of job.

AIT consulted with officials, scholars and lawmakers regarding religious freedom and labor policy.

An estimated 35 percent of Taiwan's population considers itself to be Buddhist and 33 percent Taoist.

There are also significant sections of the population that observe traditional Chinese folk religions, which include aspects of shamanism, ancestor worship, and animism, according to the study.

According to the Religious Affairs section of the Ministry of the Interior, the constitution, laws and other policies generally protect freedom of religion and that there were no widespread reports in 2013 of substantial violations of religious freedom in Taiwan.

However, there is growing concern among religious organizations that the estimated 200,000 domestic workers and caretakers are not allowed a day off from work and as a result are not allowed to partake in religious services.

Nearly 90,000 migrants from the Philippines identify as Roman Catholic and 200,000 Indonesian migrants identify as Muslim.

The overwhelming majority of these migrant workers are employed as domestic assistants and caretakers that are not guaranteed the same worker protections as those employed in other areas of work.