Translated by: Chl, Intern
Edited by: Zoe Wang, Intern
(Photo: Wi-Fi Now for Fishers’ Rights at Sea)
Migrant fishers campaigned for fundamental labor rights and Wi-Fi access while at sea alongside several domestic and international NGO groups. On Monday Taiwan time, they arrived in Boston and held peaceful demonstrations outside the Seafood Expo North America.
Shi Yixiang, Secretary-General of the Taiwan Association for Human Rights: “Many say that Taiwan is a free and democratic country that values human rights in the Asia Pacific region, and that it is a technological powerhouse where everyone can easily enjoy convenient and inexpensive Wi-Fi service. But I must say that as long as Taiwan's 20,000+ foreign fishermen are still unable to use Wi-Fi at sea or enjoy communication rights, their isolation prevents them from contacting their families, forming unions, uniting with each other against their employers, filing complaints, and obtaining occupational safety and mental health. In short, as long as foreign fishermen do not enjoy basic human rights, Taiwan's reputation as a ‘human rights country’ will always be tainted by these ‘sweatshops’. Without Wi-Fi for migrant fishermen, there will be no safe and sustainable seafood industry. The Taiwanese government has promised to accept ILO C-188 Convention in order to rid itself of this notorious ‘slavery at sea’, but the convention hasn’t been realized and more than 90% of offshore fishermen still do not have Wi-Fi to use. I invite everyone to pick up your cell phone, use your Wi-Fi, and share our voices. As long as we are willing to stand with migrant fishermen to fight for Wi-fi rights, as long as we take action together to become the strongest backers of these workers, the institutional reform of the Taiwanese government will be accelerated, the distant water fishermen will use wi-fi immediately, and they will have to wait no longer. Long live international solidarity!
Read more about the demonstration: https://en.rti.org.tw/news/view/id/2009151
Join the international petition to stand with migrant fishers demanding Wi-Fi for their rights at sea: https://www.tahr.org.tw/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=15183&qid=450407
