Taiwan’s migrant fishermen win some protections after abuse claims
- Taiwanese government acknowledges duty to look after foreign crews with $68.5 million fund to improve conditions
- Cabinet decision comes one day after allegations against captain, first officer of Da Wang fishing vessel reach court
The island operates the world’s second-largest deep-sea fishing fleet but the lucrative industry has come under fire over claims its migrant workers are subject to forced labour and other abuses, in contrast to the government’s promotion of Taiwan as a beacon for human rights in the region.
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Filipino migrant fisherman alleges abuse in Taiwan’s fishing industry
Taiwanese Premier Su Tseng-chang said the funding for the “fishing industry and human rights action plan” – passed by the cabinet on Thursday – aims to improve working conditions for migrant fishermen.
“It is the right thing to properly look after these foreign crew members who come from disadvantaged backgrounds and seek a living at sea.”
The monthly basic salary for foreign crew will be raised to $550 from $450 from July, in the first pay hike in five years. Crew members will also now spend a maximum of 10 months at sea. Currently, boats spend months – and sometimes years – crossing oceans to supply seafood to the world’s supermarkets.
Authorities also vowed to boost inspection rates of longline fishing boats, currently at less than 10 per cent, to 100 per cent “to resolve the problems at the root”, according to Su’s statement.