As Taiwan is surrounded by the sea, its capture fisheries are flourishing and have been among Taiwan’s most vibrant economic industries. The Taiwanese fishing fleet operates not only in coastal and offshore areas but also in the Pacific Ocean, Indian Ocean, and the Atlantic Ocean. Unlike land-based economic activities, which tend to offer more stability and favorable working conditions, capture fisheries are rather labor-intensive and high-risk, resulting in a decreasing willingness of Taiwanese nationals to work on board in recent years. To solve the labor shortage in fisheries, vessel operators have shifted to recruiting foreign workers, making it the norm in Taiwanese capture fisheries, especially in distant water fishing. Nowadays, workers from Southeast Asia are the main components of the fishing crew.
To provide the international community with correct information and to ensure that the Taiwanese distant water fisheries are sustainable, the government believes it is necessary to advance relevant labor rights and human rights protections. To craft domestic legislation and regulation in keeping with international standards, such as the C188-Work in Fishing Convention adopted by the International Labor Organization, the Executive Yuan convened the Coordination Conference for Human Trafficking Prevention and Elimination of Racial Discrimination on December 30, 2020. At this conference, the Ministry of Agriculture along with other relevant governmental bodies were tasked with drafting the “Action Plan for Fisheries and Human Rights,” which is a sub-plan of the National Action Plan for Human Rights. The Action Plan has been entry into force on May 20, 2022.
After reviewing the implementation of the Action Pan, the Ministry of Agriculture has further refined specific actions related to this plan, which was approved by the Executive Yuan on July 25, 2023. In the revised Plan, the government's investment was increased from NT$600 million (approximately US$18.75 million) to NT$1.03 billion (approximately US$32.19 million). The key revisions are as follows:
- Establishment of the review mechanism on minimum wage level for foreign crew members employed overseas.
- More funding will be granted to the eligible operators of fishing vessels to install wifi or satellite phone onboard to provide access to communication facilities for migrant fishermen. The MOA will develop relevant guidelines for operators to follow, and develop criteria and audit mechanisms to ensure that crew members can actually use the provided equipment.
- Enhancement of security onboard: more Funding will be also granted for purchase and maintenance of life jackets to ensure every fisherman’s safety. In addition to that, the operators could apply for grants to purchase Personal Locator Beacons (PLB) for fishermen to be equipped while working on the deck.
- Strengthening advocacy for good partner relationships: In 2024 and 2025, additional funding will be rewarded to private sectors to held events for foreign crew to advocate their legal rights.
Link
- Action Plan for Fisheries and Human Rights
https://www.fa.gov.tw/view.php?theme=Rights_for_Foreign_Crews&subtheme=&id=27
- Taiwan Foreign Crew Interactive Service Platform
https://www.happyfisherman.tw/
- Taiwan Fisheries Agency Advances Fisheries Labor Inspections Globally
https://en.fa.gov.tw/view.php?theme=Press_Release&subtheme=&id=88
