A delegation from the United States, led by Deputy Undersecretary of the U.S. Department of Labor Thea Lee, recently visited Taiwan to engage in dialogues about improving the labor rights of migrant crew members in the Taiwanese distant-water fishing fleet. The visit, occurring from 26 February to 1 March, involved workshops and meetings with various stakeholders, including Taiwan’s Ministry of Labor. The U.S. has expressed a global interest in enhancing workers’ rights, with Taiwan’s fishing industry under scrutiny. Notably, Taiwan’s fishing fleet, one of the largest globally, was mentioned in the U.S. Department of Labor’s 2022 List of Goods Produced by Child Labor or Forced Labor and the U.S. State Department’s 2022 Trafficking in Persons Report, citing concerns over labor violations and illegal fishing activities.
During the visit, Deputy Undersecretary Lee observed labor inspections on vessels and engaged with local fisheries associations, migrant fishers’ organizations, and civil society groups, assessing Taiwan’s efforts in safeguarding human rights for migrant fishermen. Tony Lin, a spokesperson for the Taiwan Tuna Association, stated that the U.S. delegation acknowledged Taiwan’s inter-ministerial initiatives to better the working conditions of migrant fishers. The discussions underscored the need for ongoing cooperation to address labor rights challenges.
The visit also spotlighted advocacy for better communication facilities for crew members, with the Global Labor Justice – International Labor Rights Forum advocating for Wi-Fi installation on all of Taiwan’s distant-water fishing vessels. Despite concerns over management and safety, a pilot project for onboard Wi-Fi is in progress. Efforts to culturally accommodate crew members, such as providing Indonesian crew with preferred food options, are being considered to improve their working conditions.
The Taiwan Tuna Association has faced criticism from NGOs, notably in a lawsuit filed by the GLJ-ILRF against Bumble Bee Seafood, a subsidiary of Taiwan-based Fong Chun Formosa Fishery Company, accusing the company of misleading marketing regarding its supply chain practices. The Taiwan Tuna Association expressed concerns over these allegations, emphasizing the need for practical solutions and support for the industry’s ongoing improvements.
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