Donggang: Indonesian migrant fishers on Sunday launched the "Freedom for Fishers Campaign" at Donggang Fishing Harbor in Pingtung County, coinciding with celebrations for Indonesia's 81st Independence Day on August 17. The campaign aims to highlight and address critical issues faced by Indonesian migrant workers in the fishing industry.
According to Focus Taiwan, after the Indonesian national anthem was sung, the Forum Silaturahmi Pelaut Indonesia-Pingtung County Migrant Fishers Union (FOPSI-PMFU) presented the campaign's demands. These include fair wages, employment contracts, and guaranteed access to Wi-Fi on all vessels. The union also seeks the right to organize and join unions without fear of intimidation or retaliation, alongside a transparent grievance mechanism and safe working conditions.
FOPSI-PMFU Chairman Rojani emphasized that for migrant fishers, independence signifies more than national pride; it represents the ability to live and work with dignity, free from exploitation and forced labor. Despite claims from Taiwan's government about improvements in these areas, the United States Department of Labor still lists Taiwan for issues related to child and forced labor.
FOPSI-PMFU Secretary-General Achmad Mudzakir recounted a recent incident reported by a fisher who faced violence on a distant-water fishing vessel. After the union reported this to the Fisheries Agency, the fisher was fired and repatriated before formal procedures were completed. Mudzakir highlighted the inadequate infrastructure at Donggang harbor, noting the insufficient bathroom facilities for the 4,500 fishers and the need for Wi-Fi hotspots to allow access to the internet.
The campaign aims to secure a binding agreement with international seafood companies to better protect migrant fishers' rights. The union emphasized that meaningful change requires companies at the top of the supply chain to take responsibility for improving conditions for those at the bottom.