03:17
Filipino migrant fisherman alleges abuse in Taiwan’s fishing industry
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https://scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3175130/taiwans-migrant-fishermen-win-some-protections-after-abuse Politics
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 Taiwan-based fishing vessel Da Wang is the subject of serious allegations that migrant crew members were abused. Photo: CNA
One day after nine people were indicted for allegedly abusing foreign crew members on one of its fishing vessels, Taiwan has pledged more than TW$2 billion (US$68.5 million) to improve conditions for foreigners working in the industry.
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.
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.
Meanwhile, the Taiwanese captain and first officer of the Da Wang fishing vessel were among those indicted on Wednesday. Prosecutors allege they beat migrants, forced them to work up to 20 hours a day and made Muslims eat pork, among other abuses.
Activists welcomed the indictment, saying it was rare to prosecute Taiwanese in such cases, and they called on authorities to follow through on promises to reform the industry.
The Da Wang became the focus of attention by human rights activists and prosecutors in 2019 following the death of an Indonesian crew member after he was allegedly hit in the head by the first officer.
Greenpeace gathered testimony from the crew alleging the deceased was stored in a freezer until the boat could dock in Fiji, and the vessel was later blacklisted by the United States.
The Da Wang operated under a Vanuatu flag of convenience – a shipping category where the worst abuses can take place, activists have warned.