Emerging port infrastructure and advocacy networks for migrant fishers in Taiwan

Abstract

As the nation with the most significant number of foreign fishers employed in its domestic and distant water fishing industries, Taiwan often comes under scrutiny due to numerous reports of poor working conditions, maltreatment and human rights abuses onboard fishing vessels. During employment, migrant fishers face the constant threat of food shortages on the high seas, lack of drinking water, unpaid salaries, long working hours and other human and labor rights abuses. The fishers’ journey often ends with unilateral contract termination and forced deportation. This paper argues that the opportunity for the migrant fishers to improve their working conditions depends on the social networks and connection to people or non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that could offer know-how and resources to advocate for their rights. Focusing on the networking between Stella Maris International Seafarers’ Center in Kaohsiung (also known as Stella Maris Kaohsiung or SMK) and migrant-led organizations in Taiwan, this research note proposes the notion of “port infrastructure” to refer to networked support organization, promotes the rights of fishers, and the improvement of their living and working conditions.