SMC organized a research forum on 28 March to convey the findings of the study comparing experiences of migrant fishermen from Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietname working on Taiwanese fishing vessels. The study looked into the recruitment process, working and living conditions, and access to support and assistance of migrant fishermen from these three origin countries.

The research was a component of the Future of Work Project coordinated by the International Catholic Migration Commission. The findings confirmed earlier reports of harsh working conditions, extremely long working hours, lack of rest, lack of food, unlivable accommodations, verbal abuse by captains, tensions between crew members, and contract substitution. Working conditions vary for those working in domestic fishing and those in distant water fishing. The former are under Taiwan’s Ministry of Labor while the latter are under the purview of the Fisheries Agency.

Director Levinson Alcantara and Ms. Kim Bansuelo of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, Ms. Ivy Miravalles of the Commission on Filipinos Overseas, Mr. James Chu of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the Philippines, Labor Attache Rey Conferido, Mr. Ricardo Casco of the International Organization for Migration and representatives from Sentro and Apostleship of the Sea-Manila offered comments for further discussion and reflection. The forum drew attention to the need to strengthen the protection of this neglected and invisible sector.