• US$673 starting January 1, 2025 Article 27 of Taiwan’s Seafarer Act stipulates: “The minimum standards of seafarer wages, on-shore pay, and overtime charges shall be prescribed by the competent authority.” Furthermore, the minimum wage must not fall below the basic wage defined by the Labor Standards Act. Employers hiring Taiwanese seafarers must comply with the minimum monthly wage table for seafarers. For foreign seafarers, labor conditions, benefits, and welfare are negotiated between the shipowner or operator and the union representing the employed foreign seafarers, with notification sent to the National Chinese Seamen’s Union. The Minimum Wage Act, passed at the end of 2023, standardizes minimum wages for all workers under the Labor Standards Act. The act aims to ensure fair minimum wages, improve the living standards of workers and their families, and base wage adjustments on the annual growth rate of the Consumer Price Index (CPI), reflecting workers' purchasing power. It also considers the overall socioeconomic conditions, national economic development, and Taiwan's basic cost of living. The “Road to Migrant Fishers’ Rights” special report emphasized that the minimum wage for migrant fishers should align with international standards and gradually increase to meet these benchmarks. 103 This approach ensures compliance with conventions and facilitates international alignment. For migrant fishers employed overseas and not residing in Taiwan, it is challenging to base minimum wage standards on indicators like CPI, national economic development, or minimum living costs. However, for migrant fishers transitioning to domestic employment after entering Taiwan, the procedures are similar to those of locally employed fishers. Yet, they are subject to different standards—raising questions of fairness. The minimum wage for migrant fishers under the Regulations on the 103 NHRC, Road to Migrant Fishers’ Rights Special Report, pp. 93–94, April 2022. 128