TFFSA board member Chang Yao-jen pointed out that every vessel
under the association’s jurisdiction requires all crew members to undergo
retraining within 24 hours of boarding. He emphasized, “There is no such
thing as human rights if the vessel is not safe. We’ve invested a tremendous
amount of effort in creating professional training courses. For example, we
send our crew members to take firefighter training courses. Our trainers are
brought in from the UK, and we also provide courses on lifeboat operations.
These are additional costs incurred every year.” 31
(3) Collaborative selection and training
Director Lin stated that the TTA and the TSSFA have signed an
agreement with the SPPI. The goal is for the SPPI to act as a regulatory
intermediary that formally manages the recruitment and training of fishers.
Fishers are hired once training is completed and are made aware of the
specific fishing vessel they will work on and its onboard environment
before leaving Indonesia. This ensures that fishers introduced to Taiwan
through SPPI are adequately trained in professional and safety skills and
understand labor contracts and Taiwan’s labor laws. Lin emphasized, “We
hope for a transparent process from recruitment and training to
employment and beyond. We also want their loans to come from national
banks in their home country rather than foreign intermediaries. We can
confirm whether fishers have undergone proper training through SPPI’s
training centers, unlike the current situation where it’s uncertain whether
fishers have been trained or not. This is a key reason why we chose to
partner with SPPI.” Furthermore, while issuing certificates, SPPI validates
the recognition of these certifications by Indonesia's Ministry of Labor and
Ministry of Fisheries, as well as the legitimacy of papers.32
The industry has taken its first step toward improving recruitment and
NHRC (January 6, 2023). “Stakeholder Actions and Dialogue on Migrant Fisher Rights
Forum,” Record of Kaohsiung Session.
32
Ibid.
31
40