Introduction: Greenpeace Highlights Human Rights Violations in Taiwan’s Fishing Industry
On Thursday, Greenpeace Taiwan called for the Cabinet to ratify the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) convention on decent working conditions for fishers. The environmental organization released a damning report alleging forced labor on 12 Taiwanese fishing vessels. These allegations are tied to Indonesian fishermen who worked on these vessels between 2019 and 2024, raising concerns about the treatment of workers in Taiwan’s distant water fishing industry.
Greenpeace’s latest investigative report, titled “Netting Profits, Risking Lives – The Unresolved Human and Environmental Exploitation at Sea,” sheds light on inhumane working conditions, debt bondage, and unsafe labor practices on several Taiwanese fishing boats. The report underscores the urgent need for policy changes in the fishing industry to protect the rights of workers and prevent environmental exploitation.
Key Allegations: Forced Labor and Human Rights Abuses at Sea
The Greenpeace report describes severe violations of human rights aboard Taiwanese fishing vessels, where Indonesian fishers reported incidents that align with the International Labor Organization’s definition of forced labor. The allegations include:
- Excessive Working Hours
Workers were reportedly forced to work up to 21 hours a day, often without sufficient rest or sleep. - Detention and Retention of Identity Documents
Fishers were allegedly detained on board and had their identity documents confiscated, a clear violation of international labor laws. - Debt Bondage
Fishermen were subjected to debt bondage, where they were forced to work to repay debts that were often imposed by their employers. - Inadequate Food and Medical Care
Many workers were provided with expired or rotten food and were denied medical treatment for illnesses, leading to further suffering. Greenpeace highlighted one case where a fisherman lost his right eye after being denied medical attention, receiving no compensation afterward. - Stranded Workers in Mauritius
In a particularly harrowing case, three Indonesian fishers aboard the Taiwanese vessel Shin Lian Fa No. 168, owned by FCF Group, were left stranded in Mauritius for two years without support. This vessel is also linked to supplying tuna to popular U.S. brand Bumble Bee.
Environmental and Legal Concerns: Unreported Fishing and Illegal Practices
Greenpeace’s report also raised concerns about illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing practices among Taiwanese fishing vessels. The report indicated that six of the 12 vessels implicated in the investigation were involved in illegal fishing activities, such as shark finning, which is a direct violation of Taiwan’s Act for Distant Water Fisheries.
The three vessels involved in the shark finning allegations – Guan Wang, Chaan Ying, and Sheng Ching Fa No. 96 – are all owned by FCF Group, which has been a focal point in the investigation. If the shark finning allegations are confirmed, this would not only exacerbate human rights abuses but also contribute to the global decline of shark populations, threatening marine biodiversity.
Government Response: Efforts to Address the Issue
At a press conference, Greenpeace Taiwan urged the Cabinet to take swift action by ratifying the ILO’s Work in Fishing Convention, which was adopted in 2017. The convention aims to ensure decent working conditions for fishers globally and has been ratified by 22 countries. Greenpeace emphasized the importance of Taiwan joining this initiative to safeguard the welfare of its fishing workforce.
In response, the Ministry of Agriculture’s Fisheries Agency confirmed that a draft version of the “Work in Fishing Convention Implementation Regulations” had been completed on September 22, and the agency is currently collecting opinions from stakeholders. The Fisheries Agency assured that it would investigate the alleged legal violations presented in Greenpeace’s report, including the claims against the vessel Shin Lian Fa No. 168, which it said had already been resolved through negotiations with the Indonesian government.
The agency also highlighted recent reforms, including legal amendments passed in 2022 requiring boat owners to pay their workers directly, rather than through foreign brokers. Additionally, Taiwan ratified the “Action Plan for Fisheries and Human Rights” and hired an extra 60 labor inspectors to improve oversight.
Investigative Report Findings: A Summary
| Finding | Details |
|---|---|
| Forced Labor | Workers reported 21-hour shifts, detention, and confiscation of identity documents. |
| Inadequate Food and Medical Care | Fishers were given expired food and denied medical attention. |
| Shark Finning Allegations | Three vessels (Guan Wang, Chaan Ying, Sheng Ching Fa No. 96) accused of shark finning. |
| IUU Fishing | Six of the 12 vessels allegedly engaged in illegal, unreported fishing activities. |
| Stranded Workers | Three Indonesian fishers were left stranded in Mauritius for two years. |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the ILO’s Work in Fishing Convention?
The ILO’s Work in Fishing Convention, adopted in 2017, aims to provide decent working conditions for fishers, ensuring safety, fair wages, and protection against exploitation. The convention has been ratified by 22 countries.
2. Which Taiwanese fishing vessels are implicated in the allegations?
The Greenpeace report identifies 12 Taiwanese fishing vessels implicated in forced labor, with notable mentions of the Shin Lian Fa No. 168, owned by FCF Group, and several others involved in illegal fishing practices.
3. How does the Taiwanese government plan to address these issues?
The Taiwanese Fisheries Agency has drafted regulations to implement the ILO’s Work in Fishing Convention, and has already passed legal amendments in 2022 requiring direct payment to workers and improved oversight through additional labor inspectors.
4. What actions has Greenpeace called for?
Greenpeace has called on Taiwan’s Cabinet to ratify the ILO convention and improve the treatment of fishers, while also urging more rigorous action to combat illegal fishing and environmental exploitation.
5. What are the legal implications for the Taiwanese fishing industry?
If the allegations are confirmed, several Taiwanese fishing vessels could face significant penalties for violating labor laws and international agreements related to forced labor and illegal fishing.
Conclusion: A Call for Urgent Reform
The Greenpeace report highlights the grave human rights abuses and environmental exploitation that persist in Taiwan’s distant water fishing industry. The allegations of forced labor, debt bondage, and illegal fishing demand immediate attention and reform. Greenpeace has called on the Taiwanese government to ratify the Work in Fishing Convention to ensure fair labor conditions for fishers and safeguard Taiwan’s international reputation.
While the Fisheries Agency has made strides in addressing these issues through regulations and inspector increases, Greenpeace’s report serves as a reminder that much remains to be done. The international community, as well as civil society, will be closely monitoring Taiwan’s efforts to protect the rights of its fishing workforce and to eliminate illegal, unreported fishing practices.
